16 Minutes. That is how long it took my life to turn completely on its head when I was 10 years old. It became the start of a new chapter in my life and since then many chapters have helped shape me into the person I am today. To be writing this blog is a real privilege and a testament to the foundations laid in my life’s previous chapters.

I have always had a desire to help others, be part of my community and give something back. It started from an early age to help at family events, in my friendship circle and within my local football club. I look back now and believe these are where my ethics and morals as a person began to develop and from where I am transferring those skills onto my journey now. 

I started my counselling course during COVID-19 back in 2020, as I had always vowed to give back to the counselling profession since I had therapy myself a few years before to help me with the loss of my Dad. I promised my counsellor that “I will be sat in your chair one day” and to be able to do this now is a real full circle moment. 

The course has changed my outlook on life and how I wish to write future chapters. The course not only influences you as a person but also your relationships in such a profound way that you start to look at life through a different lens. The course has many transferable skills and I am in a better place to offer the core conditions to myself and those around me.

Whilst it can be very scary to learn about yourself, it is worth it, and I am immensely grateful for what it has taught me. The way I approach it is the ‘seeds’ I plant today are for the growth tomorrow. Whilst I may not be here to see the fruits of my work, I am comfortable with this knowledge because if I remain authentic, congruent and kind then that is all I need.  

I have learnt that despite going through different, traumatic chapters in life, it is never too late to change the narrative. You can have a better ending and one that can go on to help, inspire and change. If we can each change our little corners of the world, then we stand to leave the world in a better place both today and in future generations. 

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