Inis-Ink Counselling

I'm back, and writing about how I finally get why we have any number of awareness weeks/months ( , , , , ) - and the why's and ways of talking about what's on our hearts. https://www.inis-inkcounselling.co.uk/post/raising-awareness-any-time-of-the-year

Raising awareness any time of the year I’ve been quite busy lately and when that happens, my writing tends to take a backseat. Couple that with a lack of inspiration about things I’d like to write about and the result is a blog that has been lying silent for longer than I’d like. But with mental health awareness week coming next we...

I'm drinking Starbucks Holiday blend in January. Here's why - and here's what I happened to learn by doing this: https://www.inis-inkcounselling.co.uk/post/making-the-ordinary-extraordinary What ordinary thing might you be able to make extraordinary, just for today?

Making the ordinary extraordinary This morning, I had Starbucks Holiday blend. I had bought it back in November when it was stocked at my local supermarket. I’ve had Starbucks holiday blend over the festive period for the past couple of years, ever since I could buy it at my local supermarket. The house blend became my morning cof...

Winter is on its way! Why not take time out of your busy schedule to think about how you can make this season work for you? Next week, Friday the 10th of December, join me for my Winter Seasonal Self-Discovery Writing Workshop. Between 1pm and 3pm, I'll be on Zoom via the Wee Retreat's on-line studio talking all things winter and giving you time to reflect on your unique needs this coming month. Would love to see you there! More info and booking at: https://www.theweeretreat.co.uk/whats-on/

What's on - The Wee Retreat What’s On

With autumn in full swing and Thanksgiving approaching, it's the perfect time to consider what your precious gems (or 'big stones') are. So that's what I've written about in my latest blog post. Here are my thoughts on the matter so far. What are your precious gems?
https://www.inis-inkcounselling.co.uk/post/what-are-your-precious-gems

What are your precious gems? It’s that time of year again. Autumn has arrived, energy is descending, things are slowing down and in certain parts of the world (North America in particular), minds are turning towards gratitude and thankfulness as Thanksgiving nears. In the U.S. at least, it’s a holiday fraught with difficult...

So thankful I’m not the only one who quotes Rainer Maria Rilke! A helpful reminder in case you need it today. 👍💕

“Do not think that the person who is trying to console you lives effortlessly among the simple, quiet words that sometimes make you feel better…. But if it were any different, he could never have found the words he did.” -Rainer Maria Rilke

I’ve been saving those words in a screenshot on my phone for weeks, not knowing why, except that they felt like home.

And then last night, exhausted in the best possible way from leading this weekend’s retreat, I came back to them.

I thought about the participant who described the relief and hope she felt when I said, “I don’t always choose the loving response… and that’s ok.”

I thought about the participant who pointed to a line from Live Love Now that said, “I went on to describe the pain I saw in her eyes—pain I caused,” and how that line was changing her and her relationship with her son.

I thought about the participant who wrote me a little note after our first night that said, “You give the best hugs.”

I thought about the participant that flipped open her journal before we departed yesterday. She said, “I never spoke this weekend, but you gave words to the feelings inside me… and now I have what I need to move forward.”

I thought about the participant who stopped me as I was walking into class to tell me that describing my highly observant child as a “Noticer” changed her daughter’s life in a profound way.

These connective words and gestures would never have come to be, had it not been from first experiencing them myself. And it is a real detriment to live in a society that projects the illusion that the finished product did not come without toil… or the polished person we see did not show up without struggle.

I did not arrive without struggle.

The night before the final workshop session, Carrie and Amy, my dear friends and retreat assistants, listened as I processed an incredibly painful experience I have not been able to talk about. As these women listened and responded with such compassion and encouragement, I felt seen. I felt understood. I felt unalone.

And now, as type these words, I marvel at what has become. An experience that was purely pain is now partly healing because it was not kept inside.

Before I take some time to rest and recalibrate from this weekend, I feel compelled to expand on Rainer Maria Rilke’s beautiful words:

Don’t think people who lift others don’t have people who hold them up.

Don’t think people who string beautiful thoughts together don’t have inner critics.

Don’t think people who look strong on the outside don’t need help too.

Don’t think people who speak healing words with ease don’t find healing hard.

Perhaps it is through knowing that embrace
that critic,
that loneliness,
and that excruciatingly painful process
that enables them to make you feel at home.

© Rachel Macy Stafford 2021

I am eternally grateful to those who gathered with me this weekend. I knew it was going to be special, but I had no idea. You showed up… for yourself, for me, and for each other… and the result was remarkable. Thanks also to those who were with us in spirit. I will be sure to post dates for future retreats as things develop. My hand in yours.

Pictured here: Amy, Rachel, & Carrie

Have you noticed that autumn is on its way? The colour on the trees, the chill in the air. Join me next Friday, the 15th of October from 1 - 3pm via The Wee Retreat’s on-line studio for the Autumn Seasonal Self Discovery Writing Workshop. We’ll be talking all things autumn, looking outside to see what we need for ourselves this season. More info and booking: https://www.inis-inkcounselling.co.uk/writing-workshops

Writing workshops | inis-ink-counselling You can see some of my own writing on the blog I started a few years back. My aim was to spread well-being through kindness and compassion, so I started writing about my personal journey towards self-compassion, which is on-going to this day. You might see in my posts that my journey isn't alwa...

Late summer is on its way! If you’re looking for a different way to spend your afternoon on Friday the 13th, you can join me for the late summer seasonal self discovery writing workshop. We’ll talk colours, scents, foods and more and get your creative juices flowing! Via The Wee Retreat’s on-line studio, 1-3pm, more info and booking here: https://www.theweeretreat.co.uk/online-classes/

The next Seasonal Self Discovery Writing Workshop is in our online studio a week from today (Friday 13th). ✍️✍️ These workshops are for you if want to use writing to explore how to live more intentionally or how to incorporate nature and the seasons into your daily life. 🌳🍂

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"I thoroughly enjoyed and gained so much from these workshops. Debbie's warmth, compassion and enthusiasm for what she does is very apparent and I truly recommend her seasonal writing courses."

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“I learned so much more than I expected to. Not only in regards to how to start writing, but everything that affects us and changes with the seasons. It is definitely something I will introduce to my journaling practice.”

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“It's such an eye opening workshop.”

Book now on our website!

Offering yourself (and others!) compassion is hard work. I'm glad for now I'm doing the work and I'm ever hopeful it becomes easier over time. Here I write about where I'm at in this journey just now.

https://www.inis-inkcounselling.co.uk/post/still-struggling-to-get-it-right

Still struggling to get it right I’ve blinked and I find myself in the middle of summer. You’d hardly know it if you looked outside at the grey skies and damp gardens, but at least it’s reasonably warm. When I last wrote, I was focused on simplifying the flow of my day, using my time intentionally and making sure I had time f...

It finally feels like summer is on its way! Take some time out next week to consider what you need this summer via my Seasonal Self Discovery Writing Workshop. Friday, 11th June from 1pm to 3pm via the Wee Retreat's on-line studio.

For more info and links to book: https://www.inis-inkcounselling.co.uk/writing-workshops

Writing workshops | inis-ink-counselling You can see some of my own writing on the blog I started a few years back. My aim was to spread well-being through kindness and compassion, so I started writing about my personal journey towards self-compassion, which is on-going to this day. You might see in my posts that my journey isn't alwa...

Just in time for with it's focus this year on Nature!!! Join me virtually via the Wee Retreat's on-line studio this Friday for the Early Summer Seasonal Self-Discovery Writing Workshop. Reflect on and write about what you can do during this short, transitional season to better meet your physical and mental health needs. For more info and links to book: https://www.inis-inkcounselling.co.uk/writing-workshops

Writing workshops | inis-ink-counselling You can see some of my own writing on the blog I started a few years back. My aim was to spread well-being through kindness and compassion, so I started writing about my personal journey towards self-compassion, which is on-going to this day. You might see in my posts that my journey isn't alwa...

It’s still really cold for spring, yet it’s already time to prepare for early summer! Join me a week on Friday, 14th May from 1-3pm @ the Wee Retreat's virtual studio to learn what you can do in this transitional season to capture your growth this spring and prepare for a bountiful summer. This is just one way you to participate in Mental Health Awareness Week with its focus this year on nature!

For more info and/or to book: https://www.theweeretreat.co.uk/events-courses/

Events & Courses - The Wee Retreat The Wee Retreat is a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company. With a range of holistic classes, workshops and retreats including meditation, yoga, mindfulness, pilates and qigong, we provide a wellbeing haven for all from the southside of Glasgow.

How might you like to spend your time? Coming out of lockdown might be the perfect opportunity to make intentional decisions about how busy we want to be. Here, I write about why I'll be choosing less busyness moving forward.... https://www.inis-inkcounselling.co.uk/post/beware-the-badge-of-busy

Beware the badge of busy Are you busy just now? I imagine the way you might answer that question will depend on where you are, what you’re doing and who is asking. I used to ask that question a lot more when I worked in a team, usually under the guise of “Do you have a minute?” In those cases, ‘a minute’ usually b...

Spring is coming and I'm not entirely sure I'm ready for it. Here are my thoughts on the matter as I wait for my own energy to start rising.... https://www.inis-inkcounselling.co.uk/post/letting-spring-unfold

Letting spring unfold I can’t imagine you haven’t noticed, but spring is in the air. Earlier this week I went out for a walk on a lovely sunny day. There was a bit of warmth in the air. The snowdrops were out. I could actually wait until later in the day to start my walk and still be confident that I had enough dayli...

Have you noticed there is more light that hangs about longer these days? Have you seen the snowdrops or crocuses out on your walk? Can you feel the hints of warmth in the air? These are all signs that spring is coming! Spend some time with me next Friday the 5th from 1pm to 3pm on Zoom to reflect on what this means for you and what you need for yourself this season. More info and how to book at this link: https://www.theweeretreat.co.uk/events-courses/

Events & Courses - The Wee Retreat The Wee Retreat is a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company. With a range of holistic classes, workshops and retreats including meditation, yoga, mindfulness, pilates and qigong, we provide a wellbeing haven for all from the southside of Glasgow.