What artists tell us about change and inspiration

Ever heard the expression 'Take things as they come'? It's easier said than done, isn't it? 

Especially if you are facing 'a measure of darkness' or where times are proving challenging.

An artist is someone with a uniquely creative ability who can show us the light. Usually an artist sees the world in a different way to others, or experiences the world with extra feeling and sensitivity. They see the potential for freedom of expression in many ways. Their ability to reinvent and develop themselves, whether through art, music or many other medias, is an inspiring skill. 

When a painter/artist has come to the end of a particular passion or theme, they often have spare canvases that somehow did not quite develop into their full potential. These cast-offs are just steps along the way (they may feel frustrated, though eventually overcome that). A common process that usually leads the artist to produce another, better version, of earlier attempts. Often you'll see them re-painting over old canvases. 

It is that ability to transform that translates well into the human potential. Just as the artist, we can learn to cast-off earlier versions of ourselves, our behaviours and any outdated beliefs. We don't need a brand new canvas, we have ourselves. 

We can change, it just takes a little faith. Quite a lot of trust is required and we can change, we can fulfill our potential and find inspiration. 


Angie 

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http://www.angiegiles.co.uk/
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About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, NR3 4AG. 

Call Angie directly on 07773 610816 or email info@angiegiles.co.uk 
Angie offers a free initial chat to find out more, as part of your first consultation. 

A nudge in the right direction

I came across this quote and rather liked it: 

"when a stick floating down the river gets stuck, it doesn't need psychotherapy, it just needs a nudge" (Michael Neill) 

It's about getting the right sort of help at the right time.

I recently found myself on the open river (see the picture), leading towards one of the glorious Norfolk Broads. Kayaking is a great thing to do and for me, getting outside, in the fresh air is very good for my soul! 

At one point, after a rest, I needed help. A man seated nearby with his friends could see I was tiring a bit, so he very kindly asked if he might give me a 'nudge' away from the sandy bank towards the flow of the main river. I said yes and was grateful for his help as it was perfectly timed and very helpful. 

The idea of a helpful 'nudge' makes sense to me. In the U.S. there has, in the past, been a culture of seeing therapists for long periods. In the U.K. though less obvious perhaps, there's more awareness of the benefit of sorting out emotional or confidence issues holding us back. We are gradually seeing a shift towards making use of opportunities for building emotional muscle and getting ourselves into a stronger position. It doesn't require months of coaching/therapy either, well certainly not with me. 
My clients sometimes just need a mental nudge, a little coaching or perhaps an opportunity to use me as a sounding board for thinking more clearly and gaining confidence. 

Of course there are times when longer term psychotherapy is of use and I am able to offer that too, should the need arise. 

When your 'job/relationship/mindset' gets stuck, get in touch, I'll let you know how I can help nudge yourself back into the flow... 

(I must mention The Canoe Man (Wroxham, Norfolk) as they offer a range of  hiring/ camping options for the novice kayaker/ canoeist. The picture is one I took as I went along the River Bure, Norfolk. Lovely isn't it? I'd recommend giving this a go) 

See:

http://www.angiegiles.co.uk/
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

Facebook for HypnoShape: HypnoShape weight reduction programme

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, NR3 4AG. 

Call Angie directly on 07773 610816 or email info@angiegiles.co.uk 
Angie offers a free initial consultation to find out more. 

You are not a tree! Change and move forward

Asking for help

Facing up to an issue is something many people put off until it becomes a problem. 
If you are in a position where you are struggling to find a way forward, it may be the time to find out how counselling, hypnotherapy or coaching may support you in facing that problem, whatever it is. 

See:
http://www.angiegiles.co.uk/
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, NR3 4AG. 

Call Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or call Angie directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping people achieve their potential at work, in life and finding greater happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

loose strands and transformation

I was thinking of how transformation in one part of our lives influences other areas too. Our life and world is made up of individual strands combined together.  

Hidden strands exists that we choose to leave out of the story we tell ourselves (and we hide this from others too, whether consciously or unconsciously). If we become aware of what that hidden part is, when a change happens, it can help us to navigate our way through the choppiest seas of life. A vulnerable, loose strand can be better managed if we accept it and know it. 

Whether your change is a career, moving home, marital status or a loss or bereavement, change can feel scary, and at the same time, I've worked with many people who have made successful transitions in their lives. They've gone from uncertainty, fear and worry towards a happier and more accepting place. 

If you want to have a chat about transforming your life, please call or email me. I'd love to hear from you.    

See:
angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, NR3 4AG. 

Call Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or call Angie directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping people achieve their potential at work, in life and finding greater happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

worrying vs control

Worrying about things that are out of your control is mentally draining. What if you focused instead on all the things that really matter to you and that you have some sort of control over? Would you feel more empowered? Would you feel less afraid? Would you feel free to make better choices? If you want to focus on the things that will give you greater freedom to be who you want to be, do get in touch.

See:
angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, NR3 4AG. 

Call Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or call Angie directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping people achieve their potential at work, life and finding greater happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

What are you leaving behind in last year?

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2015. 

It's an exciting time, with many changes happening in the world around us (and in the UK, if you are interested, it's a general election year). It's a time for new opportunities and I think  'personal choice' about our wellbeing fits into that view.  If you want to make a few changes or improve on what you already have, its a great time to get focused on that idea. All good intentions start with an idea..  If over Christmas you've faced relationship or family challenges, put on a few pounds, been hibernating or getting over an illness, it may be time to spend a bit of time looking after your body and your mind. 

Sometimes it's a challenge to get motivated to begin afresh. With spring around the corner (I say with all good intention) it's a good time for us to take care of personal maintenance routines. It's why you often see people at the gym as they set out to lose weight and get fit. 
I personally prefer not to set 'resolutions' as they can seem so set in stone and are quite scary. Things change, so I think choices and goals need to have some flexibility. Sure, go to the gym and gradually increase what you do rather than going 'full tilt' on the running machine. Your body will thank you for building up exercise gradually. 

Setting an intermediate goal with small steps towards a bigger plan gives you a chance to celebrate achievements along the way.  Even taking one small step towards a target can give you a boost of motivation 'I did it!' you say, so you keep going. The ability to see changes and feel them happening through those small steps enables you to keep moving forward and not give up with changes to lifestyle. 

Of course, I believe in the power of the mind in supporting transformation. If you want to know more about the boost that hypnotherapy, counselling, coaching or weight management (Hypnoshape ®) can give, just get in touch.  Here's to the best year ever!

See:
angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich. 

Call Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or Angie directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping other people achieve their potential at work ,life and find greater happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

Thinking like a warrior

See:
angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich. 

Call Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or Angie directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping other people achieve their potential at work ,life and find greater happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

Choices, mistakes and pain - what do you gain? A few minutes of your time :)

Forgiving yourself is something needing to be done before you can forgive others. That's something I once read and it always stuck with me! 

If you continue to carry a burden of guilt or hurt around it can make it a challenge to genuinely forgive other people when they have hurt or upset you. The time when you say 'I truly forgive myself' (and believe it) is when forgiveness becomes an open doorway to freedom. It opens up to all sorts of possiblity, colour and lightness, without the restricted vision of guilt, hurt or pain.  

If your path to forgiveness seems blocked, you can definitely start to clear it and move towards freedom. Take one small step a day or even once a week to learning about any guilt, fear or anger that you are holding. What did holding onto it do for you in the past? How does it serve you now? Was it a habit or a choice? Allow time to reflect on thoughts without over-analysing. This should be a brief process of a few minutes. The more you do it in small steps, the easier it can become to see clearer what works for you now, and perhaps what old ways of thinking are best left behind. Particularly if they leave you hurt, angry, guilty or sad.    

Angie

See:
angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich. 

Call Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or Angie directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping other people achieve their potential at work ,life and find greater happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

More than first aid...hypnosis being used in French fire service

I recently had a conversation with a man who had worked in the police for many years. 
He had often been first to witness the aftermath of traumatic accidents or finding people seriously injured. Throughout his career he retained an ability to remain calm, stopping the more disturbing things he'd seen from affecting him. I asked him about how he thought he had been able to deal with that and he told me he always thought of the family of the individual and focused on looking after their needs. He said this had allowed him to deal with the more challenging experiences whilst he had been in service. 

I've worked with other people who haven't been quite so unaffected either as a professional or after being involved in a serious accident. I would always suggest not 'burying' a problem if it's affecting you now. Seek help to deal with any emotional or physical problems if time has not yet been successful at healing those emotional 'wounds'. 

For those who are involved in dealing with traumatic experiences, I was interested to read about a technique being pioneered in eastern France during the last half of 2013.  120 of the local fire brigade crew have been trained in 'basic hypnosis techniques' to ease pain and anxiety of trauma victims alongside traditional first aid whilst they assist them or extricate people involved in accidents.  

As firefighters arrive at the scene of an accident perhaps cutting a victim free from wreckage, those staff who have been trained in hypnosis establish a more personal link with the person. They work to divert attention away from the trauma itself and instead onto the person's wellbeing.  The fire station manager, David Ernenwein, is convinced that the method is useful. He says, "We have all noticed that when we hold someone's hand, things go better, even if we did not label it as 'hypnosis'. The first thing that we can do to help people is to calm them down, and this technique has given us the tools to be able to do that, to help people suffer less".  The firemen were also taught techniques to control their own stress response. 

The 'trial' continued to the end of 2013, with the fire brigade keeping a record of the heart rate, pain levels or emotions of victims they help. These results will be compared with stats of victims treated by firemen who have not used hypnosis with them. so I will be interested to know if the training has been rolled out beyond that one area. 

As another side to this, many people who are given positive suggestions in hospital tend to need a shorter stay. If you are feeling nervous about an operation or staying in hospital, hypnotherapy could help you to feel calmer about it. By calming your mental state before you go in, you can reduce the physical stress on your body and can increase your capacity for healing whilst there and when comfortably back at home.

If you would like to know more about how hypnotherapy might help you, contact me at info@angiegiles.co.uk or call 07773 610816 

what do you need to do to change?

freedom; a great thing or a bit nerve-wracking?

angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich. Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping other people achieve their potential at work and in life and achieving happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

Help with feelings about pregnancy and morning sickness

Reports earlier this year said Kate Middleton may have turned to the help of hypnotherapy for dealing with her feelings about food after severe morning sickness meant she became dehydrated and was hospitalised. Only in the worst cases do GP's suggest medication might be used. A trip to hospital is only involved only when the impacts of the sickness present a potential risk to the mother or her unborn child.

What help can a mother find to deal with how she is feeling (alongside the main medical care on offer for her and her baby's physical safety)?
Asking for help from those close is a good idea, particularly if you have another child and are finding yourself under pressure to continue with everyday tasks. Finding a way to distract your mind from worries about the pregnancy or the morning sickness are also useful. Another way is gaining support through the benefits of hypnosis during the first trimester. Learning self hypnosis techniques as well as finding a practitioner to help with maintaining a positive focus and getting through those early symptoms. Hypnosis should always complement the main care on offer through the NHS. See the NHS website link here on morning sickness/nausea in pregnancy and how to help yourself or if someone you know is feeling the effects. Suggestions include foods and drinks to avoid and other steps you can take to help yourself and seek support from those close to you.

If you would like to know more about hypnotherapy and how it can complement existing medicine, I offer a free initial consultation in Norwich, Norfolk, UK. Based at the Norfolk Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, NR3 4AG, an established and well respected complementary health care centre in Norwich. Telephone 01603 660792. See Angie Giles Hypnotherapy web page for more information.

What tomorrow brings...

Believe and you can achieve

If you have a goal, keep reaching for it. The journey is as important as the destination and coaching and hypnotherapy can allow you to visualise and make those dreams a reality. 'Believe and you can achieve'

Let go of things you cannot control...

Merry Christmas to all my clients and to those in 2013

Sunset on the day - change your mind

Sometimes it can seem like the sun has set on a difficult day. Perhaps saying the wrong thing, or getting caught up in an unhealthy argument. Maybe it was circumstances beyond our control. One thing we can do is look at the end of the day as some sort of closure. Get some sleep and respect that it might seem different in the morning. The sunrise can bring a new way of thinking or even a decision or change of mind.

National Stress Awareness Month

It's National Stress Awareness Month in April. I was wondering, what things cause you the most stress? Have you noticed a change in your or another person's behaviour or their reactions to things in recent times? The Mind (charity) guide to managing stress is full of practical and relevant tips.

The option of hypnotherapy, deep relaxation and mindful coaching can really support you too. Having someone outside of your usual network can offer a new perspective and give you some insight to help clear your mind. If you want to know more, why not give me a call on: 07773 610816, and you can book in for a half-hour free consultation. 

Life as a therapist

I wrote information for Business East (@BusinessEast on twitter) on their blog this week telling them a bit about life as a therapist and about going self-employed, so it might inspire others. 


I hope you enjoy reading it.

Angie Giles talks about life as a hypnotherapist