Calming Tree Counselling

There are a lot of feelings surrounding Pride right now.

And we know that for many people, those feelings are layered, complicated, political, personal, painful, hopeful, exhausting, and deeply emotional all at once.

But just for this moment, without dismissing any of that, we want to come back to something simple: pride is joy. Joy in relief, belonging, and finally exhaling into who you are.

It’s about the joy of being able to finally exist authentically in a world that does not always make that easy.

It’s about discovering joy in individuality, freedom, expression, love, community, and the deeply human need to be seen and accepted as you are.

At Calming Tree Counselling, we know that joy and grief can co-exist. Celebration and pain can co-exist. Pride and fear can co-exist. And if the world has ever made you question your worth, your identity, your safety, or your belonging, we hope you know this:

🏳️‍🌈 there are people who love you exactly as you are
🏳️‍🌈 there are spaces where you do not need to shrink yourself
🏳️‍🌈 there are communities where your existence is not something to merely tolerate, but something to celebrate.

This month, and every month, we are committed to celebrating the LGBTQIA2S+ community, being one of those safe and welcoming spaces, and encouraging others to be a safe space too. 🏳️‍🌈

You know what a “bad parent” is, but a “good enough” one is rarely talked about.

It’s not perfect; it’s present.

It’s not always getting it right; it’s coming back when you don’t.
It’s noticing, responding, validating, and repairing, because it’s not the mistakes that shape your child, it’s what you do after them.

If you’re struggling in your parenting journey, and would love some guidance, reach out and book a session!

Hey! Melissa here!

You say you’re exhausted, and I believe you feel exhausted. But what if I asked you “are you actually exhausted, or are you fatigued?”

They sound the same but there’s a [big] difference.
We’re seeing “fatigue” show up way more often, being confused with “tired” or “exhausted”.

Fatigue is that emotional and psychological drain that doesn’t go away with rest. And more and more, we’re seeing screens play a role in that.

There is a consistent negative correlation between time spent on devices and mental health. Across ages and genders: kiddos, youth, and adults, and all genders. The more time we spend on screens, the more our mental health declines.
And yet, on average, people are spending 5+ hours a day on their devices.

I cannot stress enough: we were not meant to live this way.
We’re normalizing disengagement by spending our days on screens, disconnected, and then coming home to “veg out” because we can’t take anymore (enter fatigue). But, we haven’t actually connected with another human being all day. We haven’t moved our bodies, been present, or had meaningful interactions.

It takes a toll, because it’s unnatural.

So, with that, I’ll ask you “are you exhausted/tired, or are you fatigued?”

And if it’s possibly fatigue, more rest isn’t the solution. “More connection” is the solution.

Take good care!
Melissa

Not all stress comes from bad things; even the “best” moments can feel like too much.

Buying a home. Getting a promotion. An engagement. A huge win. A new chapter.

These are the moments we feel expected to feel only excitement. And you do feel excitement, but big moments can also come with pressure, expectation, and a lot of change all at once.

More responsibility, more decisions, more unknowns. Positive accomplishments and experiences don’t cancel out stress - they can often create it.

Change, even when it’s good, is still change. And your mind and body still need time to adjust.

You’re allowed to feel grateful and overwhelmed. You’re allowed to feel excited and stretched at the same time.

There’s nothing wrong with you for needing a moment to catch up to your life.

Give yourself permission to ease into the good AND the bad!