A winter solstice wellbeing walk along the canal with Anne Brookes, Canalside Life Coach

I was walking past the Guillotine Lock on the Stratford upon Avon - Birmingham canal when this narrowboat came along...I asked if it was OK to film him.
It was clear after a minute of filming, when he approached the junction known as the Avon Ring, that he had not planned which way to go - left to Worcester or right to Birmingham? it took him half a minute to decide then he manoeuvres.....very slowly until out of sight.

Watch my YouTube SHORT - see below

PLEASE help raise money for the charity The CANAL & RIVER TRUST, UK's largest canal charity: donate on my Ko-fi page

VOLUNTEER and help look after 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales - find out more HERE

WATCH my YouTube SHORT

canalsidecoach.app © gives space to reflect, boost the positives and achieve your outcomes

The little robin

*the little robin with it's black spot eye

hops from spindly leg to spindly leg whilst ducking its head down

*quick peck a bit of fatball fallen from the feeder above - while the sparrows *

are chasing each other on next door's garage roof and nibbling at insects in the mossy tiles

a lone starling forlornly darts about after the robin has spluttered away

then a tiny wren glides by quickly hoovering bits and, in a flash, is gone

Pause for a moment of Wellbeing with Canalside Life coach - see my YouTube Playlist Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLalwYDdQb1ZMypUC68Bwc0ZvZI0RezsBj

canalsidecoach.app ©

DIY Life Coaching video: Personal Wintering - Tips to survive and thrive

Personal "Wintering" - a time in our lives when we’re invited to pause, retreat, and restore ourselves after challenge or change.

This idea ties in with the first P of my 4P Framework — PAUSE.

My 4P Framework stands for Pause, Protect, Pivot and Project - for personal growth and 🪚 DIY Life Coaching See more here

Give yourself permission to pause, to winter, to gather strength. Then, when your spring comes, you’ll be ready to pivot and project — the next steps in my 4P Framework.

I’m Anne Brookes, Canalside Life Coach — helping you navigate life transitions with calm and purpose.

WATCH MY YouTube VIDEO

TRANSCRIPT:

Personal "Wintering" Tips to Survive and Thrive after challenge or change

When life knocks us off our feet, we often try to bury our pain

"Keep calm and carry on" may have worked before, but sometimes it's not enough

If the effects are too much, consider "wintering" as a way to ADAPT

Do not feel pressured by others, or yourself, to keep going

Instead, stop and turn inward for REFLECTION

Be gentle with yourself

Sometimes, you need courage to let your hardest feelings surface

This is how healing begins

Like trees in winter, turn inward, conserve energy

and TRUST that renewal will come

1. Mourn your loss, whether it is a relationship, a loved one, or a future that changed

2. Metaphorically tend your wounds

3. Take the chance to re-evaluate your life

PROTECT your energy with intentional resting

Even a few minutes of quiet can reset your nervous system and help you FEEL RENEWED

So if life feels stormy, remember: nature doesn’t bloom all year round - and neither should we!

Give yourself permission to PAUSE - to "winter", to gather strength

Read HOW in DIY Life Coaching with the 4P Framework Find out more

When your "spring" comes, you’ll be ready to PIVOT & PROJECT

PAUSE, Protect, Pivot & Project - My 4P Framework

Canalside Life Coach Helping you navigate life transitions with calm and purpose

SEE more in "Personal Wintering- Rest and Renewal" HERE

The wonder of mind mapping

It really helps "get stuff out of your head" if you have a more visual or creative mind.

You can use this tool to visually map ideas, showing central theme, branches for sub-ideas, connections.

How to CREATE a Mind Map:

Choose the topic of the mind map and place it in the middle of the drawing

Come up with three to five main ideas, then evenly space them in a circular formation around the mind map topic

Draw a line from the mind map topic to each main idea

Brainstorm supporting details such as ideas, tasks, and questions for each main idea

Draw lines connecting each main idea to its supporting details

TIP: Use colour, icons or doodles—makes it more stimulating and helps you see connections.

How to adapt it for "brain storming" ideas

Label the centre with your main problem or topic.

Draw branches for different categories (e.g., “Resources”, “Constraints”, “Wild Ideas”, “Opposite Assumptions”).

Then brainstorm under each branch - don't hold back.....

Just some ideas...

I like to just use paper and coloured pens...if you want to use a tool, try template.net

There are many free mind-map templates online. E.g., free blank mind map templates in PDF format. Pinterest

Nature's impact on Mental Health

Unleash the positive impact of getting outside for light and air!

Wherever you are, and if you can, engage with green space or nature in some way today 🌻

🟡 For a quick burst of happiness - WATCH my microlearning video Nature's impact on our mental health

This will give you a lift... then you'll be ready to notice the sounds you can tune into as you step out into nature today 🦋

Please SUBSCRIBE - I'm just starting out! thanks

🌿 Nature is therapy - pair it with coaching for deeper clarity

Coaching can guide the way - for personalised professional coaching, Book a Wraparound session with me

🟡 Or if you prefer to read and have a think in your own space, try DIY Life Coaching: Find out more about my Ebook DIY Life Coaching with the 4P Framework

Image inspired by Van Gogh! 🌹