The idea of ‘it has to be perfect’ can hold us back from achieving our goals and stop us from trying out new things.

It’s time to let go of perfectionism!

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That’s one of the reasons I like slow stitching. It allows me to stop overthinking it, to let go of what I think is perfect and to give myself permission to make mistakes. With slow stitching I can let go and just let the stitches flow. By trying not to be perfect I have artistic and creative freedom.

​​So what if your hands are shaking and the stitches are not even?

It doesn’t matter if your eye sight ‘isn’t as good as it used to be’ and things go a little wonky.

Who cares if you can’t get all the stitches the same every time?

Those are the things which make our art unique, they give it character and substance and make it interesting.

The most important thing is to embrace the journey, see a mistake as an opportunity to explore a different view, develop your own style, and expand your creative horizons.

Allowing ourselves to make mistakes and let go of being perfect gives us the courage to try new things. To step out of our comfort zone and give it a go.

Let go of perfection and enjoy the process, engage your senses, be inspired and spark your creativity. One beautiful, crazy, wonky, different, imperfect stitch at a time.

​Symbolism of the Mandorla
It is believed that the mandorla symbolises life on earth and is a sacred geometric pattern standing for the physical and spiritual planes which are represented by the two circles. The almond shape, the mandorla, is the creative centre which forms when the two circles meet. It can signify new life, new beginnings and the development of new ideas.

​The Mandorla in Holistic Art Therapy
In Holistic Art Therapy the mandorla is used in a creative way for expressing polarities of emotions. It is used as a way of getting to know our authentic selves, discover our possibilities and transform and heal ourselves. By creating a mandorla we can explore both sides of a situation, or experience, and find the balance between the two.

Mandorlas are a creative opportunity to self reflect and express conflicting feelings and thoughts you may have in your life, past or present. Creating a mandorla is a beneficial way of releasing a point of tension in your life, something you may find you go back and forth on and can never quite reach a resolution.


In my online course ‘Practicing Forgiveness with Mandorlas’ we explore the dynamics between forgiveness and resentment.  To move forward positively we need to unite the past and present, finding forgiveness within ourselves, for ourselves and others, in order to heal.


You can find more  information on my online course here.

​ For a lot of people it is really difficult to motivate themselves enough to join in any form of exercise and when you are feeling anxious, stressed or depressed it can seem like an overwhelming problem. For women going through the change of life it becomes doubly difficult to get motivated as menopause has stolen your energy and motivation and you feel the weight of the world holding you back. You know that getting some exercise will make you feel better, but in a catch-22 situation, your mental health has robbed you of the ability to do anything about it. 
The good news is there is a way to get through it!

Start small. Don't set extravagant goals like working out for an hour at the gym every morning, this will only leave you more depressed if you can't complete it (or even start it). Better to set small, achievable goals and build up from there.  A short walk can help clear your mind, improve your mood, and boost your energy levels. As you move and start to feel a little better, you’ll often find that you can do a little more than you thought as your energy levels start to increase-  maybe you can walk a little further or faster or try adding a weekly fitness class.

​Exercise when your energy is highest.  Try and exercise when you are feeling at your best. This will give you the greatest advantage to achieve even the smallest of victories. Again, keep it small so you don't get overwhelmed and spoil the good work you have done. 

Self talk. Keep your self talk positive. Tell yourself that you feel great and can do whatever you want, whenever you want. I often stop when I'm feeling mentally lethargic and tell myself that it's just menopause (in my case) making me feel this way - I can do it! So the next time you feel like you are not able to move forward stop and say "It's just ........(insert your mental health issue) making me feel like this, it is not in control, I am!"
Remember you are not your mental health - that is just something in your life that you are dealing with, don't let it define you. 
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​Make exercise a social activity. Nothing motivates us more than a friend who is relying on us to go for a walk or head to the gym. Not only will you lift each other up and keep the momentum going but you will have companionship as well. This can be just as important as the actual activity. Don't get me wrong, going it alone is OK too, but sometimes having a good friend along can make the activity even more enjoyable. And it doesn't have to be a human friend - take the dog, your horse, your pet sheep. 

Get outside. Nothing is more enjoyable or more energising than getting out in nature. Take a walk around the back yard, go to the beach, hike around the paddock, even walking to the letter box and back is ok. Fresh air and being outside are great ways to be inspired to get moving. Go into the garden and pull a few weeds, pick up some sticks or move the garden furniture around. Before you know it you might find you have been outside for a few hours and you will feel fantastic. 

The most important part of this is to relax and enjoy. Get creative and see what you can come up with that is going to be fun and engaging and give you a bit of exercise at the same time. 

Let me know how you go!

Isn't life a busy thing?

I often wonder how I manage to fit everything in and still find time for some self care. ?

This morning, as I was sharing a quiet early morning coffee with Craig before he went to work, I was thinking about all the things I had to do during the day (plus add on that there are 3 of the grand kids here....another story!). 
Half way through the mental to do list, I did begin to wonder when I would find some time for myself in amongst the chaos, then it came to me. I was already doing it! 

My early morning ritual is the 'add on' to Craig's morning ritual. On week days he gets up at 5.45am and gets his breakfast and does all those other 'man' things before work. Then he puts the coffee machine on and comes in and wakes me up. By the time I've climbed out of bed he has the coffee made and is sitting in our favourite spot waiting for me. ? 

We don't always chat, sometimes we just sit quietly and enjoy each others company. The funny thing is, I don't have to get up that early, I can stay in bed for another half an hour to an hour before I have to start my day. But those early morning coffees....... before the day kicks off......they are priceless! If I don't have time for any other self care practices throughout the day then I have at least had my early morning ritual. 

It's the little things......now, having my husband make me coffee every morning might not actually fit in with the whole 'self care' thing, but I'm claiming it. ? It doesn't take Craig any extra time, but for me.... it's so wonderful. A tiny thing that starts my day. And Craig's day too. A shared experience that we both love and have been doing for so long I can't remember a time when we didn't do it. 

​As you become more used to taking time out for yourself - and lets face it,  as women we tend to look after everyone but ourselves - or to help you kick start your self care routine, you can start a self care journal (take a look at the Apple Blossom Self Care Journal Set HERE). A few simple words written in a book about what you did, what you thought about or what you ate, to take of yourself that day. Or what you plan on doing that day for your self care. Journaling your self care makes the practice more mindful and helps you to enjoy the moment a little longer. ?

What is your favourite self care practice?