Frances Coleman-Williams Mindful Survivor

As spring seems to be well and truly here, some may want to be more active to blow away the winter cobwebs. We all know that exercise is good for us but understanding the details can help kickstart healthy habits:

Great benefits of exercise on the brain We've all heard the age old adage "what's good for the body is good for the brain"! But understanding why exercise so important can help kick start good habits. Chemical effects When we exercise, skeletal muscles (those attached to bones) are pulled and stretched. While they move, they release

Chris Packham’s done it again! An outstanding watch, understanding more about those of us who feel different:

Inside Our Autistic Minds - Series 1: Episode 1 Chris helps an autistic comedian connect with her mum and a non-speaking man find a voice.

There are more of us out here struggling with chronic pain than you’d realise. It’s invisible but check out this blog for how we’re impacted:

Being honest about the true effects of chronic pain | Chronic pain conditions are complicated. Especially when you're managing an additional insult such as a car accident. Taking care of ourselves is hard!

I’ve not posted in a while as I’ve been getting my counselling business up and running! Please do check out my latest blog:

We need to differentiate between mental health and mental illness | The growth of mental health awareness of great but categorising everything as illness doesn't help; we need to build resilience and healthy coping mechanisms.

I’m autistic I realise I’m not abnormal, weird, awkward or wrong.

In a world where I struggle to fit in I’ve had a lifetime of trying to be like everyone else, trying to blend in, constantly overwhelmed, lurching from crisis to crisis! It feels as though life itself is exhausting and no one seems to understand.

A realisation that I’m autistic and a diagnosis at age 39 came with feelings of relief and a feeling that my differences are completely normal! I feel liberated, I no longer have to hide who I am, I’m neurodivergent and proud. With it has come a community of beautiful individuals where I’m completely accepted.

The National Autistic Society are spotlighting stories from late diagnosed women and non-binary people who never saw themselves represented and want to make sure others do. I’m sharing my story to reach undiagnosed women and non-binary people who may be struggling with their only knowledge being limited outdated stereotypes.

https://youtu.be/9WHftgSJNF4

https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/campaign/our-new-campaign/now-i-know-campaign

National Autistic Society | #NowIKnow It’s time to hear your stories. We're spotlighting the stories of late diagnosed autistic women and non-binary people who never saw themselves represented a...

Check out my latest blog:

It’s not what’s wrong with you but what’s happened to you | When we're unwell we often search for what's wrong but by stopping and looking at what experiences have got us to where we are, we have more understanding

As a counsellor I have the privilege of sitting with people as they sort through life’s difficult bits. Awareness can be a powerful tool. How do you know if you’re in a toxic relationship?

How Do You Known You’re In A Toxic Relationship? | Toxic partners aren't always easy to spot. A toxic person doesn't have your best interests at heart. They may manipulate but don't believe their lies.

Check out my latest blog on Sensory Processing Disorder: https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2022/06/21/sensory-processing-disorder-living-in-a-chaotic-unpredictable-world/

Sensory Processing Disorder—Living In A Chaotic Unpredictable World | An individual with Sensory Processing Disorder is unable to accurately process the world around them; this leads to fear, anxiety and chaos.

This week is Men's Health Week! 💙 //

How can the world be made more inclusive for everyone? https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2022/05/03/a-life-full-of-confusion-and-overwhelm-how-can-we-do-better/

A Life Full Of Confusion And Overwhelm—How Can We Do Better? Moving through life with a disability is made complicated by an exclusive world. There are come simple solutions that would benefit us all!

https://theconversation.com/why-many-women-with-autism-and-adhd-arent-diagnosed-until-adulthood-and-what-to-do-if-you-think-youre-one-of-them-179970?fbclid=IwAR15djHMv0trfm5w8f2aVMKRBXyuED31iAeoIYgwfVa-nb7l_sUl22bsqU8

Why many women with autism and ADHD aren’t diagnosed until adulthood – and what to do if you think you’re one of them Not having the proper diagnosis as a child can have a serious impact on mental health in adulthood.

What a fantastic new podcast! The first section is heart breaking, I was in tears walking down the street. Ever wondered how a blind person would access a gym? Nikki and Emma present a great first episode! Highly recommend! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0c3x9r6

Access All - ‘I used a hairdryer to warm my daughter’s feet’ - BBC Sounds Nikki Fox meets the families making difficult energy decisions

I’ve just participated! Not only was it great to feel I’m doing something for the next generation but it was fascinating to hear about the researchers life and reasons for doing the research. Turns out (she explained after the recording was turned off) I didn’t say anything particular new that plenty of others hadn’t said! But it’s important to have as large a data set as possible. Any autistic adult who identifies as females, please consider taking part.

World Autism Acceptance Week—This year, as you can see, something fantastically ground-breaking has happened! This simple change in words has the power to to make a real difference. Check out my latest musings! https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2022/03/30/from-awareness-to-acceptance-its-an-important-step/

From Awareness To Acceptance—It's An Important Step Acceptance means fully recognising autistic people as part of society. Embracing our differences and enabling us to fully integrate into all sectors of life.

Check this fantastic artist out!

https://www.facebook.com/100063450655913/posts/372794968178855/?d=n

I’ve mostly had really positive reactions to disclosing that I’m autistic but this isn’t the case for everyone—just doing my bit to discuss this uncomfortable topic: https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2021/11/20/how-have-people-reacted-to-me-talking-about-autism/

How do people react to an autism disclosure? Since I started writing about autism, I’ve received all sorts of responses; both positive and negative have been impactful. Some have really hurt while others have given me a massive boost!

https://www.facebook.com/7901444234/posts/10160204276379235/?d=n

Eating disorders: Hundreds hold hands along Weymouth beach The line of about 300 people holding hands stretched from Lodmoor towards Overcombe in Weymouth.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week—please check out Beat’s campaign and my latest blog: https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2022/03/05/eating-disorders-awareness-week-who-are-the-experts/

Eating Disorders Awareness Week—Who Are The Experts? We go to a doctor for an expert opinion but what if that "expert" doesn't have any training in the illness we have?!

The next instalment: https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2022/02/27/its-time-to-tackle-further-myths-about-autism-nos-6-10/

It's time to tackle further myths about autism—nos. 6-10 When you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person. Since we're as unique as any neurotypical person, let's smash these myths!

Understand of what autism really is, is sadly lacking, I’m doing my bit to smash those myths, 1 by 1: https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2022/02/12/its-time-to-tackle-myths-about-autism-nos-1-5/

This time of year can be hard for many people; check out some simple (but effective) pointers for looking after ourselves: https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2022/01/29/how-to-take-care-of-our-mental-health/

How to take care of our mental health Whether it's the pandemic or this time of year, looking after our mental wellbeing couldn't be more important. There's a lot we can do to help ourselves.

Appreciating and accepting difference can make us all stronger https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2022/01/16/realising-i-am-normal-im-not-broken-just-different/

Realising I Am Normal—I'm Not Broken, Just Different Feeling as though I'm broken and abnormal has led to a life of searching for ways to fit in. I've now reached a point of being able to accept who I am.

My latest blog:

The Reality Behind Isolating At Christmas Christmas is meant to be a joyful time. For me, this year, it looked slightly different. I reflect on a Christmas spent isolating.

Christmas, for me is about the birth of Christ. Isolation (with covid) didn’t stop me and my husband celebrating but this year, our celebrations looked very different: https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2022/01/05/the-reality-behind-isolating-at-christmas/

The Reality Behind Isolating At Christmas Christmas is meant to be a joyful time. For me, this year, it looked slightly different. I reflect on a Christmas spent isolating.

This is what I mean when I say “ask about the experience” (instead of making assumptions). These may not be short pithy memes but I ask you now to take a few minutes to read, really listen and try to understand. Thank you.

My latest musings about Christmas: https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2021/12/17/why-are-the-shepherds-so-important-in-the-christmas-story/

Why are the shepherds so important in the Christmas story? In this blog I explore the idea that as a marginalised member of society, hearing that God chose to tell the shepherds about the birth of Jesus speaks to me.

How do we view disability? This isn't just a philosophical discussion, it impacts disabled people in numerous ways:
https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2021/12/04/how-do-we-view-disability-a-closer-look/

How do we view disability?! A closer look! Disability can be viewed in a number of different ways. How it's viewed impacts how individuals are treated, their quality of life and how they feel.

Check out my latest blog: https://mindfulsurvivor.co.uk/2021/11/20/link-between-gut-health-and-mental-health-how-to-take-advantage-of-it/

Link between gut health and mental health—how to take advantage of it Research shows that the gut and the brain and intrinsically linked. This article explores this link and how our health can benefit from these revelations.