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Simone Sear Coaching & Consultancy, Newmarket (2026)

22/08/2026

This too shall pass…

I seem to have said this quite a bit recently.

To myself.
To people struggling in the heatwaves.
To people feeling on the edge.
To those who feel that hope has disappeared.
To those who are exhausted, overwhelmed and absolutely dog tired.
And sometimes, simply to someone having a really bad day.

It’s one of those sayings that seems to come out of my mouth almost subconsciously, but I’ve been thinking about it this week. What do we actually mean when we say, “This too shall pass”?

Because it can sound a little simplistic, can’t it? Does everything pass? Not necessarily.

Some things change us. Some things leave a lasting mark. Some circumstances are difficult for much longer than we would ever choose.

So perhaps it isn’t about believing that everything will magically get better. Maybe it’s about remembering that this moment isn’t necessarily forever.

Feelings change. Circumstances change. The things that feel completely overwhelming today may feel very different with time, perspective, support or simply a little breathing space.

And sometimes we don’t need to see the whole way out.
We just need to get through today.
Get through the next hour.
Take the next step.
Rest.
Ask for help.
Let someone sit alongside us for a while.

I think that’s why this little saying keeps coming back to me. Not as a promise that everything will be easy, but as a reminder that things can change. That difficult moments can pass. That we don’t always have to have the answers right now.

And perhaps, when hope feels a long way away, sometimes we can borrow a little hope from the possibility that tomorrow might feel different.

“This too shall pass.”

I think I’ll keep it.

💭 Is there a saying or piece of advice that you find yourself returning to when life feels difficult?

15/08/2026

Some weeks, it’s harder to find the positives.

It’s been one of those weeks for me.

There has been so much troubling news. Heatwaves and fires, people losing their homes, the impact of extreme heat on health, the cost of living, emergency services stretched beyond capacity, racism, extreme views and misinformation.

And some of the stories have felt particularly upsetting on a very human level.

I think sometimes we can underestimate the impact that the things happening around us can have on our own wellbeing.

There’s lots of advice about switching off the news, and sometimes that is exactly what we need to do.

But switching it off doesn’t mean the things happening in the world disappear.

So what can we do when it feels as though everything around us is too much?

This week, I’ve tried to notice how I’m feeling rather than simply pushing those feelings away.

I’ve talked to people who understand and empathise. I’ve reminded myself that there are some conversations where, however much we might want to, we simply aren’t going to change someone’s mind.

I’ve thought about my locus of control - what I can influence and what I can’t.

I’ve been doing short, mindfulness meditations, which help me come back to the present moment when my mind has been racing.

I’ve tried to be there for other people where I can.

And I’ve gone back to some of the basics that we sometimes forget when we’re feeling overwhelmed - looking after myself, staying hydrated, eating well, practising self-compassion and noticing the things I’m grateful for.

None of these things change what’s happening in the world.

But they change how I (and maybe we) can meet it.

And perhaps that’s the bit I’m taking away from this week.

We don’t have to be positive about everything.

We don’t have to ignore what’s happening or pretend that difficult things don’t affect us.

But we can acknowledge how we feel, look after ourselves, focus on what is within our control and still notice the things that help us feel grounded.

Because sometimes wellbeing isn’t about feeling good.

Sometimes it’s about finding enough steadiness to keep going when things around us don’t feel very steady at all.

💭 What helps you when the world feels a little too much?

08/08/2026

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about the things we don’t always see.

The person who’s quietly holding everything together.

The one juggling work, family, appointments and endless responsibilities.

The parent or family carer who hasn’t had a proper break in months.

The people who seem to cope with everything.

The friend who always says, “I’m fine.”

It’s easy to look at someone and assume they’re managing.

But often, we have no idea what they might be carrying.

Lately, it feels as though so many people are living with more pressure than they used to.

The reasons are different for everyone, but the feeling can be surprisingly similar.

Trying to keep going.
Trying to do the right thing.
Wondering if they’re doing enough.

There are moments when it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the bigger picture.

To wonder how things got so complicated.

To feel that life’s challenges are bigger than any one of us can solve.

But then I remind myself that while we can’t always change the system, we can influence the world immediately around us.

A phone call.
A conversation.
Offering practical help.
Checking in on someone.
Sharing information that might make life a little easier.
Listening without trying to fix everything.

These things might seem small.

But to the person receiving them, they rarely are.

Hope doesn’t always arrive in big moments.

Sometimes it grows through ordinary acts of kindness, one person at a time.

And perhaps that’s where change begins.

💭 What’s one small thing you could do this week to make someone else’s day a little easier?

01/08/2026

One thing I’ve been reflecting on this week is this…

Sometimes people don’t need all the answers.

They simply need to feel heard.

It’s something I’ve noticed more and more over the years.

When someone is facing a difficult situation, our instinct is often to help.

We offer advice.
Try to solve the problem.
Look for the positives.
Search for the right words.

It all comes from a good place.

But sometimes the most valuable thing we can offer isn’t a solution.

It’s our attention.

What’s interesting is that the situation itself often hasn’t changed by the end of the conversation.

The workload is still there.

The difficult decisions still need making.

The challenges haven’t disappeared.

But something else has changed.

They’ve had the chance to say out loud what they’ve been carrying around in their head.

Someone has listened without rushing to fix, minimise or judge.

And sometimes that’s enough.

Not because the problem has gone away.

But because feeling heard creates just enough breathing space to think more clearly about what comes next.

It’s a gentle reminder that we don’t always have to have the perfect advice.

Sometimes simply being present is enough.

💭 Who in your life helps you feel genuinely heard?

And when was the last time you gave someone else that same gift?

18/07/2026

Today is International Self-Compassion Day.

And compassion has been on my mind this week.

One thing I’ve realised over the years is that I believe in the good in people.

Most people I meet are kind.
Thoughtful.
Patient.
Supportive.

Especially when someone else is having a hard time.

But when it comes to ourselves?

That’s often a very different story.

It’s something I’ve noticed time and time again and, if I’m honest, something I still catch myself doing too.

We speak to ourselves in ways we’d never speak to someone we care about.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably caught yourself doing it too.

We replay conversations.

Focus on mistakes.

Question ourselves.

Tell ourselves we should have done better.

Keep going.

Carry on.

Then wonder why we feel so drained.

Whenever I talk about self-compassion, someone usually says the same thing:

“It’s easier said than done.”

And they’re right.

Because for many of us, being hard on ourselves has become a habit.

Somewhere along the way, many of us learnt that being hard on ourselves would make us stronger, more successful or somehow ‘better’.

But what if the opposite were true?

We know from research that self-compassion isn’t about letting ourselves off the hook.

It’s associated with greater emotional resilience, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthier motivation and improved wellbeing.

Being compassionate towards ourselves doesn’t make us weaker.

It helps us recover.

So perhaps self-compassion doesn’t have to begin with trying to love ourselves overnight.

Perhaps it starts with something much smaller.

Pausing.

Taking a breath.

Noticing the voice in our head.

And asking one simple question:

“If someone I cared about was feeling exactly like this, what would I say to them?”

Then…

Could I offer myself just a little of that same kindness?

Just a little more than yesterday.

Because how we speak to ourselves really matters.

And perhaps if more of us could treat ourselves with the same compassion we so freely offer others…

…perhaps we’d create a more compassionate world, too.

💭 What’s one small act of self-compassion you could offer yourself today?

11/07/2026

On the importance of switching off…

I had a wonderful week away recently and have been reflecting on just how much I needed it.

Not because life had been particularly difficult.

Just the usual kind of busy, like it is for so many of us.

There’s something about stepping away from our usual routines that allows the mind to settle. For me, being by the sea, walking, resting, sleeping well and simply having nowhere in particular to be reminded me how good it feels to slow down.

Ironically, I came home physically tired because I’d walked miles every day and packed a lot into the week.

But mentally?

I felt lighter.

Clearer.

More energised.

Years ago, I don’t think I’d have allowed myself to switch off quite like this.

I’d have taken work with me.
Checked emails.
Replied to messages.
Convinced myself that everything needed my attention.

I even remember leaving a holiday once to attend what I believed was an ‘important’ meeting.

Looking back, it wasn’t worth missing those precious hours away.

These days, I see rest differently.

Switching off isn’t something we have to earn after we’ve worked hard enough.

It’s part of looking after ourselves.

And it doesn’t have to mean an expensive holiday or travelling abroad.

Sometimes it’s a weekend away.
A day by the coast.
An afternoon in the countryside.
Or simply giving yourself permission to leave work at work and be fully present somewhere else.

Because when we give our minds a chance to rest, we often come back with more energy, more perspective and a greater appreciation for the everyday things we can so easily take for granted.

💭 What helps you properly switch off?

20/06/2026

It’s been a good week.

Not because everything is perfect.

Not because life has suddenly become free of challenges.

But because I’ve found myself noticing lots of good things.

Some in my own life.

And some in the lives of people around me.

Friends receiving good news.

People finding their feet after difficult times.

Positive outcomes that have been long awaited.

Things beginning to fall into place.

And perhaps what I’ve noticed most is how genuinely happy I’ve felt for them.

It’s made me pause and reflect.

Sometimes we spend so much time focusing on what’s next, what’s missing, or what’s not going to plan that we forget to notice what’s already going well.

Not just for ourselves, but for others too.

The last few years have taught me that life has a way of changing.

There are times when things feel difficult, uncertain or out of alignment.

And there are times when things begin to come together again.

Looking back, I’ve realised how much has changed in my own life over the last few years.

Some of those changes were difficult at the time.

Some felt uncomfortable.

Some were not choices I would have made if life hadn’t nudged me in a different direction.

But they’ve led me to a place where I feel genuinely grateful.

Grateful for my work.

Grateful for the people around me.

Grateful for friendships, opportunities and experiences that enrich my life.

And grateful for the simple things too.

Like the sunshine.

Some time away to look forward to (OOO is on).

A quiet moment to pause and appreciate where I am right now.

Maybe that’s my reflection this week.

When life feels good, let yourself notice it.

Pause long enough to appreciate it.

Celebrate the good things happening around you.

Because life isn’t always easy.

But when the sun shines, it’s OK to stand in it for a while.

💭 What’s something good that’s happened recently that you’ve taken time to appreciate?

13/06/2026

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your wellbeing right now?

I love scaling questions.

They're one of the simplest coaching tools, but they're often surprisingly powerful.
It's a question I ask a lot in my work, but it's also one I find useful to ask myself from time to time.

Most people can answer quite quickly.
"I'm about a 4."
"Maybe a 6."
"Probably a 7 today."
But it's what comes next that's often the most interesting.

Because our natural tendency is usually to focus on what's wrong, what's missing, or why we're not feeling better.

So instead of asking:
"Why aren't you a 10?"
I might ask:
"What makes you a 4 and not a 2?"

And that's where things often start to shift.
People begin to notice what's helping.

The support they have around them.
The strengths they've forgotten about.
The things they're already doing to look after themselves.
The reasons they keep going, even when life feels difficult.

I've been reflecting on this myself recently.
It's easy to focus on the stresses, worries and challenges that life throws our way.
But sometimes it's equally important to notice what's already supporting our wellbeing.

What's helping us cope.
What's keeping us going.
What's working, however small it might seem.

Because wellbeing isn't always about reaching a perfect 10.

Sometimes it's about recognising that we're doing better than we think……and understanding what might help us move just one point higher.

💭 So, if you asked yourself today:

What number would you give your wellbeing?

And perhaps more importantly...
What makes it that number, rather than a lower one?

08/06/2026

This week (8-14 June) is Diabetes Week, and the theme is: Strike Out Stigma.

As someone who became a Type 1 Diabetes mum completely unexpectedly when my son was diagnosed at just 7 years old, it’s a theme that resonates deeply with me.

Before his diagnosis, I knew very little about Type 1 Diabetes.

Like many people, I didn’t really understand what it was, what caused it, or what living with it involved.

To say his diagnosis came as a shock would be an understatement.

That was over 25 years ago now.

A lot has changed since then. Technology has improved. Treatments have improved. Awareness has improved.

But what still surprises me is how much misunderstanding remains.

One of the reasons this year’s campaign resonates so strongly is its simple message:

DIABETES IS NEVER ANYONE’S FAULT.

Nobody chooses to live with diabetes.

Yet people living with diabetes are still often met with assumptions, judgement, blame or comments that suggest otherwise.

Whilst my own experience is through Type 1 Diabetes, I’ve also seen the challenges faced by people living with other forms of diabetes too, including Type 2 and gestational diabetes.

Different conditions.
Different experiences.

But often similar misunderstandings and stigma.

What many people don’t see is the reality of living with diabetes day after day.

For us, Type 1 Diabetes became a 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year part of life.

The injections.
The blood glucose monitoring.
The carb counting.
The mental arithmetic.
The planning.
The worry.
The hypos.
The hypers.
The appointments.
The school meetings.
The interrupted sleep.

And whilst every person’s experience is different, diabetes doesn’t take a day off.

There are no holidays from it.

What people often don’t see is the constant mental load that sits behind the numbers.

Sometimes stigma isn’t intentional.

Sometimes it comes from a lack of understanding.

But even well-meaning assumptions can leave people feeling blamed, judged or misunderstood.

That’s why awareness matters.

That’s why empathy matters.

And that’s why conversations like Diabetes Week are so important.

Because behind every diabetes diagnosis is a person navigating challenges that aren’t always visible to others.

So this Diabetes Week, perhaps the most important thing we can offer people living with any form of diabetes is understanding, compassion and a willingness to learn.

Sometimes that’s where stigma starts to disappear.

💙 Have you or someone close to you been affected by diabetes?

06/06/2026

Worry can be very convincing...

I've noticed myself worrying more than usual this week.

A few things have been on my mind and, if I'm honest, I found myself slipping back into some old patterns.

Overthinking.
Running through endless ‘what if?’ scenarios.
Catastrophising outcomes that, in my worried mind, started to feel almost certain.

The interesting thing?

None of the things I imagined actually happened.

And it reminded me that worry can be very convincing.

When we're caught up in it, our thoughts can feel like facts.

Our minds become so focused on trying to predict and prevent problems that we start treating imagined outcomes as though they're already real.

Of course, worry isn't all bad.

It's a normal human response. In many ways, it's our mind trying to protect us by looking ahead and preparing for potential challenges.

The difficulty comes when worry stops being helpful and starts stealing our peace.

When it keeps us awake.
When it fuels anxiety.
When it stops us enjoying the present moment because we're too busy living in an imagined future.

When I notice this happening, I try to come back to a few simple things:

▫️ Write the worry down
▫️ Look for the evidence.
▫️ Ask myself what has happened in similar situations before.
▫️ Challenge my assumptions.
▫️ Consider what I would say to a friend in the same situation.

And perhaps most importantly...
I try to come back to the present moment.
Because mindfulness has taught me that thoughts are not facts.
They're thoughts.

When we slow down enough to notice them, rather than getting swept away by them, they often lose some of their power.

This week has been a reminder that worrying about something doesn't make it more likely to happen.

But it can stop us fully experiencing what's happening right now.

💭 What's one thing that helps you when you notice yourself getting caught in a cycle of worry 🤔

Simone Sear Coaching & Consultancy

22/08/2026

15/08/2026

08/08/2026

01/08/2026

18/07/2026

11/07/2026

20/06/2026

13/06/2026

08/06/2026

06/06/2026

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