Paula Short Personal Development Courses

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Paula Short Personal Development Courses

Passionate about the value of group work
Facilitator of Personal Development Courses
and therapeutic 3-day Retreats
Founder of Loughrea Youth Theatre

11/07/2026

We may be surrounded by sounds that we barely notice. The hum of everyday life, birds outside the window, the wind moving through the trees, the voices of people around us.

This weekend, take a moment to pause and listen. Paying attention to the sounds around us can be a simple way to reconnect with the present moment and create a little space in our day.

Could you share this with someone who might enjoy this exercise?

10/07/2026

This week in the Support Programme, we explored some of the ways our experiences of connection and belonging can shape how we show up in relationships.

Next week, we continue with Growth Week, where we will explore ways to begin or continue developing in this area and take small steps towards deeper connection and belonging.

If you’d like to explore these themes with us, you’re very welcome to join the Support Programme.

08/07/2026

Making space for ourselves can be difficult in the middle of everyday life…

My Self-Exploration through Expressive Arts retreat is an opportunity to step away from your usual routine and spend three days exploring, creating, reflecting, and connecting.

No previous creative experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to take some time for yourself.

It takes place in the last week of August and there are only a few more spaces remaining!

For more information, please email [email protected].

07/07/2026

One of the things I love about children is their ability to stop for the smallest things. They have a wonderful capacity to become completely absorbed in what is right in front of them.

As adults, life often becomes busier. Our minds are occupied with plans, responsibilities, and the next thing on the list. We can move through our days without really noticing the world around us.

This little ladybird is a gentle invitation to pause for a moment. There is nothing to analyse, nothing to achieve, and nowhere else you need to be while you watch.

Perhaps, just for this minute, allow yourself to see the world through curious eyes. You may be surprised by how much beauty has been there all along.

Thank you for taking this quiet minute with me. Please share with anyone who might enjoy this.

05/07/2026

We often move through familiar tasks without needing to think about them.

This weekend, try using your non-dominant hand for one everyday activity.

Doing something differently naturally slows us down. It invites us to pay attention to something we would usually do on autopilot.

What do you notice as you do this?

04/07/2026

This month in the Support Programme, we are exploring the theme of 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠.

It has reminded me of some research I carried out in 2020, exploring the psychological benefits of youth theatre for young people. One finding stood out above all the others: within the youth theatre environment, participants felt safe enough to be themselves. From there came something rather wonderful: they felt accepted. They discovered that others shared similar experiences, and, ultimately, they developed a genuine sense of belonging.

It is a privilege to be part of creating a space where young people can experience that. It also makes me excited too cultivate ways that we, as adults, can continue to seek out and create places where we feel able to be authentic, accepted, and connected to others.

Today marks the opening performance of this year’s youth theatre production: 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐚. I am so looking forward to seeing these talented young people share all they have been working towards. If you’d like to see the production, we’d love to welcome you along. You can find more info and buy tickets on https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lyt/2253201 .

I hope to see some of you there!

01/07/2026

This month in the Support Programme, we will be exploring the theme of 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Across many different psychological approaches, one message remains remarkably consistent: meaningful connection with others and a sense of belonging are fundamental human needs. They are not simply nice additions to our lives, they are essential to our wellbeing.

This first week of the month is about exploring some of these psychological ideas and concepts that underpin the theme of connection and belonging. We will consider different perspectives, discover new language for our experiences, and gently reflect on what these ideas might mean in the context of our own lives.

One question participants are invited to consider this week is: 𝘞𝘩𝘰, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧?

I am looking forward to exploring this topic together over the coming month.

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵? The Support Programme costs €30/month. Go to www.paulashort.net/support-programme to learn more.

30/06/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported me as I took on the Clare Burren Marathon Challenge in aid of Féileacáin.

Thanks to your incredible generosity, we raised €1,390 for this wonderful organisation.

It was a privilege to support such an important cause, and I am deeply thankful to each and every one of you for helping to make it possible. 🤍

27/06/2026

We don’t have to travel far or wait for something special to encounter beauty.

This weekend, see if you can find three things that you find beautiful and spend some time with them.

Would you like to share what caught your attention? Feel free to do so below!

26/06/2026

I’m looking forward to our Support Programme live session 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.

One of the things I value about these sessions is the opportunity they provide to bring the month’s topic to life through conversation and shared reflection. This month, we have been exploring the theme of 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸, becoming more aware of the parts of ourselves that may have been hidden, rejected, or left unexplored.

Together, we will reflect on what we have discovered over the past few weeks. What new things have we noticed about ourselves? How have the journal prompts, creative projects, and other resources supported our exploration? What has given us hope or confidence in our capacity to grow?

As always, there is no pressure to speak. Some people find great value in sharing, while others prefer to listen and reflect. Both are welcome.

Members will spend time in their smaller groups as well as in the larger community gathering, creating space for meaningful conversations and the reassuring reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, questions, or growth.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday evening.

The Support Programme costs €30/month. Go to www.paulashort.net/support-programme to learn more.

Address

Galway

Telephone

+353868358971

Website

http://www.paulashort.net/

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