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When the Seasons Shift: Astrology, the Nervous System and Finding Our Ground Through October and November

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When the Seasons Shift: Astrology, the Nervous System and Finding Our Ground Through October and November Mercury retrograde, Venus retrograde, the Taurus Full Moon, Scorpio season and the emotional significance of Bonfire Night and Remembrance. There is something about this time of year that invites us to turn inward. The evenings become darker, the temperature begins to fall, and the natural world seems to be preparing for a period of rest and restoration. Yet while the seasons appear to be slowing down, our internal worlds can sometimes feel quite the opposite. We may find ourselves reflecting more deeply, revisiting old memories, questioning relationships, experiencing unexpected emotions or noticing a sense of unease that we cannot immediately explain. For those who follow astrology, the closing days of October and the beginning of November 2026 bring together several significant events. Venus has been retrograde since 3 October, Scorpio season began on 23 October, Mercury tur...
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When the Headlines Enter the Body: Why the Cornell 7 Story May Be Activating So Many of Us.

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When the Headlines Enter the Body: Why the Cornell 7 Story May Be Activating So Many of Us There are some news stories we read, absorb and move on from, and then there are others that seem to enter the body before our minds have even had time to process what we have read. The extensive media and social-media coverage surrounding what has become known as the “Cornell 7” is one of those stories. A former Cornell University student has brought a civil lawsuit alleging that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven male students at a fraternity house in 2024. The allegations are now the subject of a reopened criminal investigation. At the time of writing, no criminal charges have been brought against the seven men, and some have denied wrongdoing. Those distinctions matter while legal processes continue, and this blog is not an attempt to determine what happened that night. What interests me, particularly through the lens of trauma and nervous-system regulation, is wha...
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When Summer Starts to Change: What the Turning Season Can Awaken in Us

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  When Summer Starts to Change: What the Turning Season Can Awaken in Us There is something about this time of year that I always notice. Summer hasn't quite left us, but it is beginning to change. The mornings feel a little cooler, the evenings are drawing in, and there is a different quality to the light. We may still have warm days and moments when summer seems determined to hang on, but there is a sense that something is shifting. I find it fascinating that, often, before we consciously acknowledge the change around us, we can begin to feel a change within us, too. We are not separate from the seasons, although modern life sometimes encourages us to behave as though we are. We expect ourselves to maintain the same pace, productivity, energy and emotional state regardless of what is happening around us. Yet our bodies are constantly responding to our environment. Changes in daylight, temperature, routine, sleep and activity all provide information to our nervous system. So, ...
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The Art of Safe Expansion: How to Grow Without Overwhelming Yourself

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  The Art of Safe Expansion: How to Grow Without Overwhelming Yourself As a nurse, a veteran, and someone deeply immersed in trauma-informed practices, I know all too well the delicate balance between growth and overwhelm. Whether you’re embarking on a personal journey or expanding a professional venture, the process of growth can feel both exciting and terrifying, especially if you’ve lived through adversity, burnout, or emotional exhaustion. I’ve been there, pushing myself beyond what felt comfortable, only to realise that the very drive for growth was the source of my stress. However, through years of personal healing and a deep dive into nervous system regulation, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of your well-being. In fact, it can be the very thing that nurtures you if you do it with intention and mindfulness. Here’s how to practise the art of safe expansion - growing into new roles, responsibilities, or ways of thinking - without overwhelmin...
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Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Mindful Practices to Let Go of Emotional Clutter

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Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Mindful Practices to Let Go of Emotional Clutter As the days grow longer and nature begins to bloom again, many of us instinctively feel the urge to clean — our homes, our wardrobes, our gardens. But what about the internal mess? The emotional cobwebs? The stories, stresses, and stuck feelings that quietly gather dust in the corners of our hearts? Spring is a beautiful metaphor for renewal — not just in the physical world, but in our inner world too. As a trauma-informed coach, nurse, veteran, and veteran spouse, I’ve learned that emotional clutter can be just as heavy (if not heavier) than anything sitting in our attic. And just like spring cleaning at home, clearing space inside ourselves takes time, intention, and a deep breath of courage. Let’s talk about how to make room for growth, healing, and peace — starting from within. 🌼 What Is Emotional Clutter? Emotional clutter is the build-up of unprocessed feelings, outdated beliefs, and invi...
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Identifying the Values That Matter to You — And How to Honour Them

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Identifying the Values That Matter to You — And How to Honour Them There comes a point in many professional lives — especially in caring professions — where the exhaustion isn’t just physical. It’s ethical. It’s emotional. It’s the quiet ache of knowing something doesn’t quite sit right. Often, what we call burnout is actually something more precise. Its values strain. When what matters to us internally is not aligned with what we are asked to tolerate externally. And until we can name our values clearly, we cannot protect them. Why Values Matter More Than We Think Values are not motivational slogans. They are not laminated words on a wall. They are the internal compass that guides how we Make decisions Respond under pressure Lead others Set boundaries Sleep at night When we act in alignment with our values, we feel steady — even in difficulty. When we act against them repeatedly, the nervous system knows. It registers tensi...
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When We Keep Going: The Strange, Brave Dance of Progress

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When We Keep Going: The Strange, Brave Dance of Progress Have you ever noticed how life rarely moves in a neat, straight line? We’re taught that success is all about relentless forward motion, hustle harder, push through, and never give up. And yet, anyone who’s ever done anything hard knows that progress doesn’t always look like a single upward climb. Sometimes it feels like we’re wading through mud. Other times it’s two steps back, one step forward—or worse, we stand still for what feels like forever, holding our breath in the middle of the unknown. So what is it that makes us keep showing up, even when every part of us wants to quit? The Fuel Beneath the Frustration If you ask people what keeps them going, the answers are as messy and varied as we are. For some, it’s love—for a child, a partner, or a dream version of themselves they’re not ready to give up on. For others, it’s sheer stubbornness, the refusal to let life win without a fight. Sometimes it’s hope in disguis...
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