23/06/2026
Richard Greenwood Counselling
Wise words βοΈ
π± Mid-Year Pause: Checking In with Mind & Body π±
βWeβve officially hit the halfway point of the year. If youβre feeling stuck or exhausted right now, take a deep breath. You aren't doing anything wrong you're just human.
βWhen I need to reset, I look to a few well-known experts in mental wellness whose ideas have helped millions of people understand themselves a bit better:
βπ§ 1. Dr. Dan Siegel on the power of changing how we talk to ourselves:
β"Consider the difference between saying 'I am sad' and 'I feel sad.'... 'I am sad' is a kind of self-definition... 'I feel sad' suggests the ability to recognize and acknowledge a feeling, without being consumed by it."
π What this means: You aren't a broken or anxious person; you are a whole person just feeling a temporary wave of anxiety. Give yourself room to breathe.
βπ± 2. Carl Rogers on why being hard on ourselves doesn't work:
β"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."
π What this means: True growth never comes from self-criticism. Change actually starts the moment you stop fighting your current reality and give yourself some grace.
ββοΈ 3. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk on why we can't ignore physical stress:
β"The only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside ourselves."
π What this means: You can't just think your way out of stress. If your shoulders are up to your ears and your jaw is clenched, your body is telling you it needs a break. Pause and listen to it.
βπΏ The biggest lesson their work teaches us: You cannot shame yourself into a better version of you. Be curious about your feelings, gentle with your flaws, and mindful of your own peace this month.
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