I keep meaning to update my profile picture. The first one was taken when I worked for Off the Record in Bristol in 2014. Over 10 years ago! It was a professional shot and one I was happy to use for my business.  I’m still getting round to getting a new one,  but for now- here is a recent one of me , by one of my children. Less fresh faced but feeling so happy that I can do work that I love.

Life is quite different for me and the world in general since I embarked on this career path. Counselling has become more of a profession and we are learning more and more about what supports people to feel better in their lives but also I think we have over complicated what it is to feel better. I am also now a Clinical Supervisor and I get to support other counsellors in their work with others. This is a real privilege and inspiration for me.

I’ve been getting back to basics recently, things I’ve been finding really mindful and rewarding- Growing and baking. I should give them a title – ‘Things that help me feel sane and human’.  I think Barbara and Tom from ‘The Goodlife’ had something right. Doing things for ourselves can be so satisfying. I don’t have a huge garden or land, but in my small space I’ve carved out some places for growth. This Spring , I spent a lot of evenings working out ways to keep the slugs off my small shoots (it became quite an obsession), then making sure everything was watered in our hot weather. It was hard hard work!  Then the harvest! Beans, leaks, spring onions, Rhubarb, cucumbers, sweetcorn. There were some failures too. The potatoes all got blight! The squashes were totally eaten by slugs ( a battle i didn’t win).  This year I have felt more connected to the seasons, the garden and the food I eat. I’ve spent less time indoors and I have felt more fulfilled.

Bread baking has also become something calming for me. The process is slow and slows me down.

So , if you come to see me at work you will notice that the garden is a hive of activity. We aim to create a sanctuary for humans as well as wildlife. The teasels will look old and raggedy but we keep them for the goldfinches! I love working from the garden.

This all sounds rather idealistic. Life is not all plain sailing and smooth, but these things help me to weather the storms! i wonder what helps you?

So I guess ‘this is currently me ‘has turned into my current life’s philosophy- Catherine Sweet, In pursuit of Growth! Sorry Slugs!

The Studio in my back garden