Reflections NI

10/09/2026

“I'M GRAND"
A Little Shoulder shrug.
Sometimes a Little smile.
And on we go… 😅

Possibly one of the most Irish answers to
“How are you?”

And sometimes we genuinely are grand.

But sometimes “I'm grand” means…

•I'm exhausted.
•I'm overwhelmed.
•There's too much going on.
•I don't really know how I feel.
•I don't want to talk about it right now.
•Or… I haven't actually stopped long enough to check.

Sometimes even the smile says “I'm okay” while our eyes are telling a completely different story.

So, just for a moment today, forget the automatic answer.

How are you, really? 🌿

You don't have to fix anything.
You don't even have to tell anyone.

Just check in with yourself.

If you had to choose 'one word' for how you're feeling today, what would it be?

And yes… “grand” is still allowed.😂🤎

Reflections NI

09/09/2026

Have you ever noticed that you're a slightly different version of yourself depending on who you're with?

🔸The capable one.
🔸The quiet one.
🔸The funny one.
🔸The one who keeps everyone else okay.
🔸The one who never says no.
🔸The one who looks like they're coping.

Sometimes we learn to adjust ourselves so well that we can lose sight of where the expectations of others end… and we begin.

For some people this might be masking.
For others, people-pleasing, self-protection, or simply something they learned a long time ago to feel accepted or safe.

And taking off that mask isn't always as simple as “just be yourself.”

Because being yourself requires something important - feeling safe enough to do so.🌿

Maybe the question isn't:

“Why can't I just be myself?”

Maybe it's:

“Where, and with whom, do I feel safe enough to be me?” 🧡

You don't owe everyone every part of you.

But you do deserve spaces where you don't have to perform, prove or pretend.

Reflections NI

08/09/2026

Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to be doing better, feeling better, coping better…

that we forget to acknowledge where we actually are. 🤎

You don’t have to have everything figured out today.

Maybe today is simply about meeting yourself where you are,
- without judgement,
-without comparison,
-and without the pressure to be somewhere else. 🌿

Small steps still count. 🧡

Reflections NI

03/09/2026

28/08/2026

A little update from Reflections NI 🌿

It’s been a little quieter on here recently, as I’ve taken some time away to switch off, spend time with family and recharge.

Sometimes we all need that bit of space, including counsellors! 🤎

I’m currently away from work and will be back from Monday 31st August, when I’ll respond to any messages or enquiries.

Thank you for your patience, and I hope you’re finding little moments to look after yourself too.

Leah
Reflections NI

18/08/2026

Do you feel like you have to earn your rest?

I’ll sit down when I get this finished.
I’ll have a cuppa once the house is sorted.
I’ll take some time for myself when everyone else is okay.
I’ll rest at the weekend…

And somehow, there’s always something else that needs done.

Sometimes we think we’re practising self-care because we eventually stop, but only after we’ve spent hours, days or even weeks looking after everything and everyone else.

Rest isn’t a reward for reaching the end of your to-do list.

Self-care doesn’t have to mean spa days, bubble baths or having hours to yourself either.

Sometimes it’s sitting down before everything is finished.
Leaving something until tomorrow.
Eating before you’re running on empty.
Saying no without writing an essay explaining why.
Having ten quiet minutes without deciding you need to be productive with them.

Maybe the question isn’t:

“Have I done enough to deserve a break?”

Maybe it’s:

“What do I need right now?”

And sometimes, the answer might simply be…

Rest. 🌿

Reflections NI

14/08/2026

10/08/2026