Hi Reader,

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It's Monday morning and it's the start of September, which for me, and perhaps you too, signifies a new season, fresh starts and new goals. 
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But what I've been pondering over the weekend, is not so much what I want and desire over the coming months, but more how I tick along day by day. How do we thrive whilst sh*t happens? What if we're NOT full of the joys of the new season and school term?

Historically, when things were tough I tended to try ignore the negative emotions, or beat myself up mentally, for having them at all. There's vulnerability and discomfort in bucketloads for me, admitting that I'm struggling or worse, that I need to ask for help - eeek!

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These days things are a little different. One of the steps to our SPACES philosophy of wellbeing is Explore. Exploring how you feel, accepting it and nurturing yourself all at the same time, is a wonderful way of moving through difficult emotions and the situations that you find yourself in. I'm not talking about wallowing here - I think there's a common concern that if we acknowledge our true feeling that we somehow open up pandoras box and are risk being overwhelmed with emotions and getting stuck there. But actually, those emotions are sat within us anyway. They come out in others ways: through anger, resentment, overwhelm and more. Those times when we have a strong reaction, but don't know where it came from, are a sign that other emotions are bubbling under the surface and impacting our daily life.

When we say or write what we're really feeling, things start to become clearer. We can get to know ourselves better. And with the step of nurturing ourselves, we're less judgmental of our own emotions. Nurturing might look like:

• Naming and accepting how we feel right now, knowing it will pass.
• Calming and reassuring ourselves like a parent might
• Prioritising self care activities
• Nurturing our body with good food and exercise that we love

For me these are the steps to being able to get myself back on track and put my energy where I really want to. What works for you?

And as for my plans this September- we have lots happening at The Mindful Breastfeeding School this autumn. Pop to the links below to find out more.

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Our Foundations Course is starting this month - Twice a year we offer our Mindful Breastfeeding Foundations training for those who want to get started in breastfeeding support. Book in with Anna to find out more or apply for your place.

​Discover Mindful Breastfeeding Week is our Free Mindful Breastfeeding experience for Health professionals, birthworkers and lactation supporters. It's held in out Facebook group and starts Monday 12th September. See you there!
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