A client recently shared a very insightful image of a ship being made seaworthy, ready to set sail when the wind blowed.  It was about taking time to prepare for some kind of movement in your life, even if you haven't yet worked out what that movement might be.  Having a sense that something new will be beginning, but not being sure of what that is.  But there are times in life when we need to prepare the ship so that when the wind does blow, we are ready to set sail.

I'm always amazed how clients make connections between the present and the past.  Talking about a current challenge often results in someone making a connection to childhood, when it seemed they set up some kind of defence mechanism that served them well at the time, but in the present time is no longer needed.  Talking therapy seems to help identify unnecessary resistance which can then be gently worked through to bring greater emotional freedom.

It's always special to hear how a client is beginning to take more responsibility for their life and future.  From feeling bashed about by life and their circumstances, to feeling like they are more in control, and more able to make positive choices.  I was amazed this week by a client I will call Mark, who spoke about having less fear about the future, and was able to imagine changing his work circumstances to better suit his life, his family, and his goals.  It left me uplifted and more hopeful about my own life! 

I thought it would be good to do a blog about what my clients have taught me this week, by being with them, and being inspired by their stories and progress.  This week I wanted to talk about a client I will call Samantha.  We have had four sessions now, and she came to me saying she felt burnt out, stressed and worried, with a strong perfectionist streak.  Being in a high-powered job, she felt that 'being good enough' was never an option.  Instead, she pursued unattainable perfection, to the point of exhaustion.  This week, she was telling me how she has begun to be able to let go of the perfectionist persona, and realise in her inner self, that being good enough is actually a healthy human state to be in.  It made me reflect again on my own life and to see where I might be too driven to succeed.