Star and Well

28/07/2026

Beautiful and do-able ritual for connection. ♥️

25/07/2026

♥️

17/07/2026

It’s Birth Trauma Awareness week. I’ve been thinking a lot about this, and am just going to share from my heart, in no particular order.

1. There is a lot of trauma and difficulty in birth these days - if this has been your experience, you are not alone.

2. You are the expert on your own lived reality. If you feel your birth was difficult or traumatic, it was - regardless of what anyone else might say or think.

3. It’s really common to feel like someone else had it worse. That may be true - it’s also true that someone else’s experience does not minimise or change the pain or challenge of your own.

4. It’s not just what happens in birth that makes it traumatic or painful - it’s also how we felt in that experience that matters.

5. Healing is possible, no matter what it feels like right now.

6. Small steps towards self-restoration and feeling safe are healing.

7. If you haven’t found someone who is willing to listen, it’s okay to to keep looking.

8. Looking for validation from a perpetrator or the system that caused the harm in the first place in my experience leads to further harm.

9. Healing happens in connection. You are worthy of connection, safety, and acceptance.

10. There are many parts to healing and many ways to heal: physical, emotional, nervous system, even spiritual. It’s okay to take things one step at a time and to take the time that you need.

Two of my favourite trauma healing social media follows (not birth specific) are: and Trauma Aware America.

16/07/2026

Hello everyone! Sharing something new...

Relax + Connect is a new in person group antenatal / postnatal class for expectant and new mothers where you can pause, connect, and fill your cup.

If you'd like to find out more, feel free to comment or message me. You will:

*connect with others at a similar stage even before your baby is born,
*be invited to share your experiences without judgment,
*support your body and nervous system with guided relaxation,
*add to your personal birth and parenting 'toolbox' with new skills.

Come for a single session or book a six class series.

Who is it for? Suitable for all stages of pregnancy through 12 weeks postpartum. Lap babies are welcome.

Where? Merryoaks Community Centre - Main Hall

When? Mondays 1.30-2.30pm (20th July to 31st August - no class 27th July).

How much? £7/session (-or- book a block for £35 and get your 6th class free).

***Local friends, could you help me spread the word? Shares are very much appreciated, thank you!***

09/07/2026

This is a really helpful way of looking at things! 💙 I like it a lot.

Thoughts?

Most of us know Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a pyramid that suggests we climb from basic needs to self-actualization. Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman offers a different picture, a sailboat. Life is not a ladder that we climb once. It is an ocean that we must navigate every day.

The hull of the sailboat represents our need for security, such as safety, supportive relationships, and healthy self-esteem. When the hull is damaged, we spend our energy trying to stay afloat instead of moving forward. The sail represents growth through curiosity, love, purpose, and personal development. Once the boat is stable, we can open the sail and let the wind carry us toward a more meaningful life.

Unlike Maslow's pyramid, Kaufman's sailboat shows us that human needs are not fixed levels. Even people who are thriving can be pushed back by loss, stress, or trauma. Growth and security are not separate stages. They work together, helping us stay afloat while continuing to move toward the life we want.

29/06/2026

An enormous thank you to everyone who has left a google review - my heart is touched by your kind words and I very much appreciate your taking the time to share your experiences.

As a small and growing business within our local community, your words help to build connection and visibility where it's needed most.

If you've worked with me before, even if it's been a while, would you consider leaving me a review? Thank you!

https://g.page/r/CRGUd2IkuTI3EAE/review

27/06/2026

Oh that edge of taking the first steps of bringing something new into being...excitement and anticipation, nerves and anxiety, uncertainty on the threshold of the unknown...

Something new is coming for mamas-to-be and new mamas - pregnancy to 4th trimester - in our local community (Durham and surrounds), I am looking forward to sharing it here very soon.