Dr Rachel

Pros and Cons of Everything

As we approach winter, with less daylight hours, I find myself defaulting to a tendency to brace against this inevitably.. As if to shield myself from it.

But, what we resist persists

And I certainly haven't yet reached the giddy height ability, of changing the seasons 😂

So I decided to shift my focus to some winter positives:

-Cosy evenings in
-Hearty soups and cooking
-Spectacular sunrises on morning cycles (see below)
-A natural inclination to slow down

The shift from apprehension to peaceful acceptance (and even appreciation) is real.

Although disclaimer: I do still prefer more daylight hours.

Where we place our focus, has a very real effect on us.

What are you currently focusing on, in your own day to day? And how does it impact how you feel about it?

Are there any positives you can find within it?

And I'd love to hear, in the comments below, some of the things you love about winter too 😊

And that's a wrap!

What a fantastic Thursday

Nature's nurture on my morning cycle

A wholesome coaching session this afternoon

All topped off with an intimate networking evening, with some inspiring and lovely ladies in business

All of these things fill my cup

Frequently, I love to step back, to notice and feel a sense of contentment, at the life I've created, and continue to create for myself

It wasn't all sunshine and roses to get here. And the ups and downs will still come. But boy, was it worth the effort

Would you like some help, crafting a life that fills your own cup?

One that fulfils you from within, is in alignment with your own values and desires, and brings you joy?

Contact me; and let the journey begin! 😊✨

Delighted to have been nominated, by the Business Women Scotland community, as one of the Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in Scotland! ✨ 🎉 🤩 💃

Thank you, you wonderful bunch 🥰

Self Awareness, Respect & Conscious Leadership

These were my favourite terms, from yesterday morning's cHeRries Business Breakfast.

When workplace cultures move towards this, it is truly transformative for business.

Role modelling is important.

In leaders yes - we look to these in a workplace for guidance.

But also within each and every one of us. And in all aspects of our lives.

Our actions, behaviour and integrity affect others, on both conscious and subconscious levels, so it's important for each of us, to take responsibility for our own.

Actions speak louder than words.

Values are just words, if they are not also lived. And I'm sure most of us can relate to the inauthentic feeling of that experience, both internally and externally.

We have more say over how we choose to be, and behave, than we sometimes might like to believe.

As discussed at yesterday's event this will include difficult conversations, and an increased level of honest communication.

But isn't quality of life and relationships worth it?

Valuing relationships enough to engage with those difficult conversations, where each party is heard and acknowledged, can result in an improvement in trust.

Win win, much?

Thank you to Gillian Donald, Austin McKenzie, Katherine Webster and Louise Lang, for sharing your insightful and thought provoking content and experiences.

Permission

My wonderful friend and colleague Caroline, has just launched her first book, aptly titled; Permission.

The word Permission speaks volumes, as far too often we struggle, to give this to ourselves.

I see this frequently, in both myself and in others.

Permission to take a break / nap, permission to share how you really feel, permission to be kind to yourself; are just a few examples.

Caroline is a Psychiatrist, Therapist and Coach, with lived experience of mental illness. She set up The Joyful Doctor in 2017, to help support the wellbeing of doctors, something that is now absolutely vital in the UK.

If you're interested in hearing her personal account, together with self care skills and techniques, the link for the book is available in her post below.

Do you look after others, but find it hard to look after yourself?

Do *your needs* often come last?

Are you a caring person who wants to look after your own mental health, and prevent stress, burnout and more?

Then check out my new book - Permission - OUT NOW!

Link to buy:

https://amzn.eu/d/cM3nyWR

Hope you enjoy it!

Caroline x

Change

Many of us are not fans.

Nature consistently shows us, that cycles of change are inevitable, a necessary part of life.

Change is essential, for new growth to occur in time.

Sometimes small, subtle changes. Sometimes big, drastic changes.

Part of the path of human expansion, and evolution.

Yet often we cling to the old familiar.

How can we learn to embrace change, instead of the common default to resist (which adds to the struggle)?

Yeild, to overcome.

Today's ride: ✔️

I love cycling, additionally because I get to spend time outdoors (so it's a proper break) whilst exploring, people, and bird watching.

When it comes to wellbeing, exercise is one of the body's essential maintenance needs - helping to regulate mental and physical health.

And what better way to incorporate it, than choosing a form of exercise you really enjoy?

Not one you have to force yourself to get through.

So what's yours?

A gentle or dynamic yoga stretching session? A power through the swimming pool waves? Pounding a running trail? Lifting at the gym? Or a group dance class?

Choose something you enjoy - and it'll feel like a pleasure you WANT to include in your life, not a chore!

"Noticing"

This was the word which kept coming up, in a session with a coaching client this morning.

Noticing how she feels about various things she is experiencing. What are her preferences. What are her needs and desires.

So often, various external pressures and influences from the world, and from other people, means we can lose our awareness of what we need and want.

Of what’s true for us.

Sometimes, we’ve been so strongly conditioned, that we are not even sure of our own preferences, needs and desires.

But they are always there.

The deeper part of you always knows. Sometimes, it just takes a bit of helpful noticing and prompting, by someone like me.

This is something I love facilitating. It brings me absolute joy, to help my clients to notice - to really see - and grasp in their own full awareness, what is true for them.

What resonates with them at the deepest level. What they truly want and need.

And I also love that in the process, they increasingly learn, how to do this for themselves.

Step 1 = Noticing
Step 2 = Prioritising

If you’d like to experience your own epiphanies, contact me, to book a no obligation initial consult.

Stop and Smell the Roses

This summer has afforded me some lovely (if at times risky! ☔) opportunities to take some of my clients outdoors.

Coaching in the great outdoors, in an expansive space under an infinite sky, fairly encourages wide open, creative thinking!

And an opportunity to slow down, smell the roses, and really reconnect with yourself, and your senses.

Want to try it for yourself, while the weather holds?

I offer a no obligation initial session.

Contact me to find out more at [email protected]

Personal & Professional Development

I attended a wonderful coach supervision session earlier this week, which delivered (as usual) some much needed clarity on my own path forward

On approaching re-entry to some clinical work, I wished to explore managing my energy, time and boundaries

The session certainly delivered!

It sounds so straightforward, but having a shared space in which to talk freely, allows your mind to process, create new thinking and solutions and uncover those things, that deep down you already know are true for you...they just need some dislodging, to nudge them to the surface

I'm so grateful to be part of a group of supportive coaching colleagues, who help me continue to develop as a coach, as well as helping me to stick with and stay accountable to my own goals in life; evolution and expansion ✨

Being-well (Wellbeing) plug:

What Gives You Energy?

Having been floored by ?covid the past week, I'm pleased to find my energy levels on the increase again, after some much needed time out to rest

So I'm making some time to boost it further, with things that I know give me energy

☀️ The sun
🌊 Sea swimming

What gives YOU energy?

Prioritise that, today

Yesterday's office space ♥️

Had a brilliant mentoring session with the lovely Karen Smith of BWC Aberdeen

Building supportive relationships while spending time in Mother Nature - it doesn't get much better than this 🥰

Don't Forget to Look UP!

To remember YOUR Bigger Picture.

Your WHY

The reason(s) behind why you are doing, what you are doing.

My work with clients this week (and my own personal self reflection) has reminded me of the sheer importance of this.

Reconnecting to your bigger picture helps with motivation when things get tough, when things feel uncomfortable, when important decisions need to be made.

Excitement runs out. Passion doesn't.

Take a moment to pause today, and reconnect to your own why.

Had a blast last week at the cHeRries; learning about AI, and connecting with friends old and new.

My main takeaways:

*AI is there as a helpful tool, for us to use responsibly

*The output depends on the quality of the input

Which made me think of self care, health and wellbeing - where:

*Responsible use and responsibile choice are important (in relation to your body, mind, habits and behaviours)

*What we input affects our ouput
(in the sense of what we consume on a sensory and dietary level, affects our mind and body's ability to function)

Parallels everywhere!

Special thanks to Carole Bruce, Sharon Methven, Gillian Donald and Karen Smith 🥳

The Mind Body Connection

Last week I was given a valuable opportunity, to talk about the super important Mind Body Connection, at a Wellness event at kerry smith's co-hosted by Karen Smith of and Paul Forrest of

Your body and mind are constantly communicating with you.

Do you pay attention?

I love helping my clients to do this.

It improves their self awareness and self understanding no end.

And it never fails, to have a direct positive effect in their lives.

Could you use some help supercharging yours?

DM me today

Calling all ladies in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire! 📢

A fantastic Health & Wellwoman event, at Team Cycle in Aberdeen, on Friday 7th June, hosted by and

Excited to be speaking, alongside Laura Walker, Dr Monika Gostić, PhD & Dr Lorraine Hawick

Come along and learn more about your body, your mind, and your health - empowering you in your relationship with self 💪

Contact Karen Smith at BWC Aberdeen for further details

It’s All Small Stuff

Yesterday I went for a walk at the beach.

I exchanged smiles and hellos with a few people, and had a full conversation with a stranger.

In contrast; while living in London, and out walking at the riverside or in a park, it would be a mission to have one stranger make eye contact.

You can feel the difference.

Being seen and being acknowledged is essential in humanity. Human social connection is vital.

It provides sustenance and a positive sense of wellbeing.

And it is a very strong protective factor, in mental health.

This week take stock;

To protect, sustain and nurture your own social connections, and to remain open to creating more; they are a form of lifeblood for your health.

To sum it up by a quote, from the Psychiatry section of a textbook from my medical student days:

“It is healthier to eat cake with a friend, than broccoli alone.”

LIVE Tonight
8.30pm London time

Empowering you to live in Alignment with Dr Aurelie of Chiro.bliss

Announcement! 📣

Excited to announce I'll be in the spotlight, taking the mic. I'll be joining Dr Aurelie of Chiro.bliss for a Facebook live on the evening of Thursday 9th May. Further details to follow in due course.

Meantime, pop it in your diary!

Had a brilliant and fun coaching session yesterday with the lovely Dr Aurelie of Chiro.bliss, working together on her priorities, in her work and life.

It always feels so exciting and empowering, for both me and my clients, to end the session in the context of opportunity and possibility!

Dr Aurelie - you got this! 💪🏻

Excited for your dream becoming a reality 🤩

For those who don't know me well, my name is Dr Rachel, and I'm a Doctor turned Women's Empowerment Coach.

I help busy, professional women shift from stress and overwhelm, to passion and purpose.

I coach two types of women:

1) Those with a clear goal they want to achieve, who would like help prioritising and taking their next steps towards it, whilst having accountability.

2) Those who are feeling lost or stuck, who know something needs to change, but they're not clear what, or where to start, and could use clarity of focus, so they can start taking action.

The focus can be personal and/or professional.

Are either of these women you?

Message me today, to book your complimentary discovery call.

Let's turn your passion into a project - and let the fun begin!

Stress Tips in Stress Awareness Month

#1 Talk to a friend

Yesterday, I felt stressed.

In the late afternoon, a headache began to build.

I tried pushing on with work…with limited success.

So I took a moment to pause; to pay attention to the physical sensations.

I knew I needed an emotional release of the pent up tension, so I messaged a friend to ask if she was free to talk it out that evening.

She was, we met and we talked…it turned out both had issues needing airing!

On the drive home, I noticed my headache was gone.

The power of connecting, talking and releasing.

What Makes You Happy?

Today is International Day of Happiness

(It’s amazing the International Days you learn about, when posting on social media!)

Nature is my first love, and spending quality time with her never fails to make me feel happier. (especially when QT also happens to be my love language 😊)

I make efforts to maintain this relationship daily; whether it’s getting out for a walk, cycle, sea swim…or even just making the time to stop, and look out the window to watch passing birds or clouds, for a few mindful moments.

How about you?

What makes YOU feel happy?

And how can you bring more of this into your everyday life, to create consistent happiness, in your own day to day?

I invite you to share in the comments below 😊