This book helped me make sense of SO many things

Hello lovely people. Wow, it was almost two months ago when I last wrote to you!

I hope the summer is treating you well and you are being kind to yourselves.

I have been reading lots, taking things at a slower pace and nurturing myself and my bump as much as possible. Only three months to go until I meet my daughter, time is flying!

A book recommendation for you

One of the books that was recommended to me several times by therapist colleagues, friends and parents was this book:

​The book you wish your parents had read (and your children will be glad that you did).​

Now, some people will call this a parenting book, but I want to stress that whatever your stance is on having children (have them, don't have them, don't want them etc) this is still a profoundly useful book for personal development, improving relationships and just "adulting" in general!

We are the people we are today because of our parents. Their experiences became our experiences, their feelings, behaviours and character traits all formed the basis of our factory settings from birth. Some of us kept most of those "settings" and some of us learnt to change them if they weren't right for us for whatever reason.
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Our parents will have done the absolute best they could with the resources and knowledge they had. The purpose of the book (and really, therapy in general) is not to blame and criticise the ways in which we were brought up, but to help us understand how everything that has happened to us from birth (actually, since being in the womb) influences our thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns. First, we need to UNDERSTAND and then we can work on bringing about change (if a change is felt to be needed).

For many of us who struggle to understand why we are how we are sometimes, or perhaps have been called too SENSITIVE in our lives, or have struggled to maintain healthy relationships, this book is a fantastic resource for understanding and beginning to repair those wounds.

Of course, for anyone raising children or planning to raise children, it is an even more important resource! If you're looking to break certain patterns in behaviour, heal any family trauma and/or find validation for how you are feeling, then I would highly encourage this book.

My book is almost ready!

On the subject of books... a book I started creating during lockdown and my wonderfully talented friend Emma has been illustrating for me is SO nearly ready.
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Nope, it's not a self-help book (though I hope one day to publish one!) It's an educational children's book for identifying and learning a little about common birds we can find in the UK and Western Europe. It's a little passion project of mine which I am so thrilled will one day soon be in the homes and hands of people I know.
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I will let you know when it's available to buy so keep an eye out for another email from me!

I shall leave it there for today but I am sending tons of love, and I hope to speak to you again soon.

-Nicola x