ARTICLES
Ideas for Self-Care and Hope During Shelter in Place
Taking some action on our own behalf to deeply address some of our needs can soothe us in many areas of our well- being. Comfort without platitudes, trust in a time of uncertainty, peace in a time of turmoil, inspiration in a time of despair, calm in a time of fear. These are the things that are called for. Hope is what is called for. Is it possible that we can find all these things inside of ourselves despite the challenges we are facing right now? I believe it is possible and here are some thoughts to inspire that. No one [...]
Honoring Our Feelings During Shelter in Place
Honoring Our Feelings During Shelter in Place Whatever you are feeling, you are not alone. Whatever you are doing, or not doing, you are enough. Your rhythms might change day to day, you will find your way, you are finding your way through this. There is no “right” way to shelter in place. Success or failure lives only in your own heart. Please be gentle with yourself. Welcome your own self- compassion. There is no “right” way to shelter in place. No matter your journey right now, whether you are working harder than ever or your work is on hold for a time, [...]
Courage-Rising Up in Times of Trial and Grief
Today, a songbird across the valley began to sing amidst all the wintry sounds of the morning, and it pierced my heart in a way I found hard to define. Like a creak of a heavy metal door slowly opening a crack, I felt my heart expand an inch further into the world of feeling and realized the degree to which I have battened down the emotional hatches to get through these past few years of grieving. I attune my senses toward discovering the words for what that birdsong unlocked in me. There are times when you feel an opening [...]
Scrubbed Away-Musings About Grief
I am sharing something that I wrote as I was coming out of a period of my own life that was filled with grief. You might find words and validation about your own journey, or understanding for another’s by hearing about mine. Everyone experiences grief differently, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. For most of us, the period of intense mourning lightens eventually, I wish this lightening for all who are grieving right now and for those we love. ____________________________________________________________ Scrubbed Away Grief scrubbed away who I used to be. Grief, along with the desire to forget, and the [...]
Harvest – Reaping the Rewards of Our Efforts
Sometimes I have trouble harvesting what I’ve grown. It seems so ridiculous to have put in all the work of growing a thing, and then not walking out of the door to pick it and eat it before it is too late, and the food is spoiled. This morning I went out and picked the last of the tomatoes and it felt very good to have them bulging out of my robe pockets. As I enjoyed my senses out there in the garden picking these final tastes of summer, I considered how this is similar to life in general. Sometimes, [...]
Slow Down and Let Life In
Slow Down and Let Life In Every year as summer begins to fade, I feel myself release a deep surrendering sigh. Our summers are so busy! Even when we’re not that busy, we’re planning for the next thing on the calendar. It’s a cliché, but I love it when the kids begin school again. I am always surprised at how kid-centric my focus has become over the summer months and look forward to refilling my reserves and putting some energy again toward my own well-being. Whether you have children or not, Fall is a great time to slow down. Sip a cup of [...]
Building the Momentum of Feeling Good
Using High-Flying Moments to Build the Momentum of Feeling Good I always love it when April comes around. Hope blossoms in my heart along with the spring buds and even occasional glimpses of sun warm me up enough to brave the continuing gloomy weather before the full arrival of spring. This morning, a flock of chickadees flittered around our patio on a mission for bugs. I delighted in watching this cleanup crew swoop in and fly from one place to another, gobbling up bugs I couldn’t even see. One even came right up to the window I was watching [...]
Violets: The Power of Perspective
Using the Power of Perspective to Find More of What you Want in your Life. I have violets in my garden. I put them there on purpose a few years ago, but now they are taking over. I found out the other day that violets are invasive, and I was told I should pull them out. I looked around the yard and thought, “That’s a lot of pulling.” Shortly after, I came up to my yard and noticed all these lovely purple faces peeking up at me from the violets’ heart-shaped leaves– the best blooms I’ve ever had, right before I’m [...]
Calming the Tyrant in your Head
Introducing Self-Acceptance Can Begin to Tame your Inner Bully. For most of my life, my way of achieving something was to just push through what my body-mind-spirit needed. For years I was proud of this, thinking that ignoring my needs was the same as strength and fortitude, and that this was the way that accomplishments happen. Until now. Now, I see this behavior for what it is– I’m a bully. Sure, I’m a successful bully, a smart bully, and I’ve pushed myself to do some amazing things, but I’m still a bully. I don’t look like a bully to [...]
Breaking the Inertia of Winter
Break the Inertia of Winter and Step into Spring. The sun is out. The days are longer, and the Earth is beginning to warm up. Many of us stumble into spring-like dazed winter hibernators, waking from a deep sleep. Winter can be hard on people. There are real psychological effects to deal with– from shorter, darker days, to holiday stress, and a higher likelihood of cold-season illnesses. For me, spring has always been a “power” season– one where I feel newly inspired, when during the rest of the year I may have felt discouraged. Suddenly, after months of feeling overwhelmed by [...]
Let’s Talk
Call now for an appointment
(831) 246-2545
CATHERINE MARCOTTE
720 River Street, Suite 7 (in the Gateway Plaza)
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Appointments available:
Tuesday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 5pm
Closed Monday, Saturday & Sunday
Evening appointments available.
Weekend appointments available by special arrangement.
© Copyright 2019. Catherine Marcotte, MFT. All Rights Reserved.