Shells, they can teach us a lot about ourselves

What i've always loved about shells is how each one is completely individual. Of course, they have similarities- similar shapes, sizes and markings, but you will never find the exact same shell again. What also influences a shell is the condition it has been in- the wind, the waves, the warmth, the cool breeze and of course, the storms. Some become chipped away, cracked, each with a story as to why, but it doesn't turn them into a different shell completely, they still remain the same.

Sometimes, life can hit  us hard. Difficult situations, big changes, trauma and unexpected losses for example can leave us wondering, who am I now? What do I even like and dislike? Do I even recognise who I am? Do I like myself? We can begin to question who we really are, regardless of what "roles" in life we have or did have, or even what diagnosis we may have. When life-changing experiences happen, we can easily lose ourselves in what is going on around us, identifying ourselves with that...and there is no shame if you feel that, that's understandable.  But it isn't who we are...

So, how does this relate to therapy you may be thinking?

Counselling creates a space to explore, to re-discover and to re-connect with your wants and needs, your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weak areas. The therapeutic process can help us to recognise or re-connect with our true self, not labelled or defined by the storms we may go through. 

The therapy space is a place where you do not need to "perform" and can be completely yourself,  be who you truly are and grow self-esteem and confidence again.