Stephen Gardiner - Transformations Trauma Therapy

I used to be an agronomist and crop scientist, also known as a plant nerd 🌱. I was all about teaching farmers how to grow crops, boost yields, and not kill their plants (mostly). Then, I traded in my overalls for scuba gear and became a salvage diver for 5 years - it was a real 'sea'-change 🌊. But, I returned to my plant-loving roots and thought I had it all figured out... until life had other plans. For the past 20-odd years, I have been involved in coaching, counselling and Trauma therapy. And even though I am well past retirement age, I still love what I do and will continue to work for years to come.

I am a hugger! I didn't used to be. I grew up in a family of non-huggers! Over time, and changes in society and I have found I miss hugs. I even ask for hugs. Hugs definitely make me feel good. So anytime you meet met me, feel free to hug, I will always appreciate it. What about you, are you a hugger? Let us know in the comments below.

Every day, our lives are filled with ever-changing feelings, reactions - good and bad. Some feelings make us feel great, others drag us down emotionally. Keep in mind, 'feelings cannot hurt us!' Staying Mindful of the 'Heavy Feelings' - Detach from them and try to stand back, remembering that 'feelings cannot hurt you.' Feelings are temporary. I try to analyse the feeling itself. The what and where of the feeling in my body. The more analytical I can be, the less impact it has. One question I ask myself is: 'What advice would I give to another in this situation?'