A brief glimpse
For a moment, I caught a glimpse of three white butterflies dancing outside my window.
Butterflies symbolise transformation. Watching them flutter by, I felt a small glimmer of hope
and excitement, a curiosity about what changes and possibilities might be on the horizon.
When change feels unsettling
Hope and excitement, though, aren’t always the first feelings that show up when change is
on the way. Just as often, it’s anxiety, stress or sadness that greet us first. Our reactions to
change can vary greatly, but one thing stays constant: change is inevitable. It shapes and
reshapes the landscape of our lives, whether we plan for it or not, and quite often, it arrives
uninvited.
So if you feel uneasy or uncertain about something shifting in your life, that’s entirely
normal. Stepping into the unknown can be anxiety-provoking. After all, there’s a comfortable
familiarity in things staying the same.
When staying the same becomes uncomfortable
But there comes a point when staying the same becomes its own kind of discomfort. You
might notice you’re unhappy, lonely, overwhelmed, or that life has started to feel a little flat.
In my work, these feelings are rarely random. They’re usually communicating something
important, quiet signals that some part of your life or wellbeing needs attention.
Perhaps a relationship, personal or familial, has become difficult or emotionally exhausting.
Perhaps you’ve been sitting with an internal struggle and have reached a point where
staying as you are no longer feels authentic or fulfilling. Or perhaps you’ve been carrying
stress for so long that it’s started to weigh on you in ways you’re only now noticing.
When change isn’t the answer
Not all transformation looks like change, though. Sometimes, the shift we need isn’t about
doing something differently, or moving towards something new, but about softening towards
what’s already here. It might mean meeting yourself with a little more compassion, rather
than more pressure to be different. This kind of transformation is quieter, and often harder
to notice, but no less profound. Sometimes, the most meaningful shift is simply allowing
yourself to be where you are, without the added weight of feeling you should be somewhere
else.
Unlike the three butterflies, gone as quickly as they appeared, a longing for something
different tends to linger. And the sadness, frustration, or stress that unwanted change can
stir up is a heavy thing to carry alone.
Finding support in the midst of change
If you’re looking for support in navigating change, whether it’s change you didn’t ask for,
change you’re intentionally trying to move towards, or accepting where you are, counselling
can help. Counselling with me provides a space to explore what you’re experiencing and
gently untangle your feelings, and take the next step towards new possibilities and a life
that feels more fulfilling and meaningful.
If any of this resonates, you’re welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation about what
you’d like support with and to see if counselling with me feels like a good fit.
I offer one-to-one counselling for adults, with sessions taking place online across the UK.