Bliain úr mhaith do mo chuid léitheoirí ar fad! Cé go n-airíonn an bhliain seo an-cosúil leis an mbliain seo caite... drochthús don bhliain atá ann le dianghlasáil uimhir a trí agus uimhreacha Covid19 níos airde anseo in Éirinn ná a bhí siad riamh roimhe! Ach sin uilig ráite, bhí an aimsir go hálainn ó thús na bliana, tá sé fuar go maith ach beagnach gach lá anseo i nGaillimh ó gur tháinig mé ar ais ó Bhaile Átha Cliath tá an ghrian amuigh agus chonaic mé pictiúir álainn de sléibhte, páirceanna agus bóithre clúdaithe i mbrath sneachta. Tá mé féin go pearsanta ag tógáil an dea-aimsir seo mar chomhartha maith. Níor thosaigh an bhliain rómhaith ó thaobh na paindéime ach tá rudaí deasa go fóill le feiceáil agus le braith, ach b’fhéidir go bhfuil sé níos deacra duit teacht orthu.

Happy new year to you all! Even if this year feels an awful lot like last year....we’ve definitely had a grim start to the year here in Ireland with our Covid cases higher then they have ever been and the whole country in Lockdown 3 BUT with all that being said, the weather since the beginning of the year has been beautiful! The sun has been shining here in Galway since I got back from Dublin and I have seen beautiful pictures from other parts of the country of snow covered fields and mountains so I am taking that as a good sign! With regards the pandemic and Covid the year hasn’t started out too well but there is still plenty of beauty to be found around us all!

Tá mé bródúil go maith faoi láthair toisc gur féidir liom rudaí maithe a aimsiú agus a fheiceáil. Ó gur chaill mé Aoife, mo chara agus Michael, m’uncail bhí an saol i bhfad níos deacra agus is ar éigean go raibh mé ag tabhairt faoi rud ar bith, gan trácht ar rudaí maithe a fheiceáil thar timpeall orm. Sin ráite, níor thosaigh an tseachtain seo, an chéad tseachtain den bhliain ró-mhaith.

And I am really proud of myself for being able to see that beauty! Since Aoife and Michael have died life has been really difficult and I was struggling to get up in the morning let alone to see anything good in the day. But for this first week of the new year I have definitely found lots of beauty around me. BUT I did also struggle this week.

Tháinig mé ar ais go Gaillimh ar an Satharn le go mbeidh mé in ann socrú isteach i gceart sula dtosóinn ar an obair ach bhí mé in ísle brí ceart. Bhí mé ag teacht ar ais go teach folamh agus fios agam nach bhfeicfinn éinne ach i ndiaidh píosa ióga agus codail maith mhothaigh mé níos fearr.

I came back to Galway on Saturday so I would be able to get back into work on Monday after settling back into things here but Saturday evening was tough; I was feeling really down and I couldn’t even pinpoint what had gotten me down (lockdown, January, bereavement; there was just so much to choose from...) but after some yoga and a good night’s rest I started to feel better.

Maidin Luain agus d’éirigh mé go luath le tabhairt faoin lá ach ní raibh mórán fuinnimh agam aon rud a dhéanamh. Tharla an rud céanna maidin Dé Máirt agus ar an gCéadaoin agus mar sin, bheartaigh mé gach éirí go luath ar an Déardaoin – ní fiú é nuair nach bhfuil fuinneamh agam cibé! Agus rinne mé an rud céanna inniu agus tá mé chomh sásta liom féin! Bhí mé ag cur brú orm féin nuair nach fiú é! Bhí liosta agam de na rudaí go raibh orm a dhéanamh agus tá mé á dhéanamh agus ag fáil beagán níos mó codalta ag an am céanna!

So on Monday morning I got up early because that’s what you ‘should’ do when you’re back at work and I didn’t have much energy or interest in anything. The same thing happened on Tuesday and Wednesday and finally by Wednesday I was starting to learn my lesson so I gave myself a lie in on Thursday and felt much better about the day and had much more energy so I did the same thing this morning and I generally feel so much better!

Tá mé ag tosú dúshláin 5 lá saor in aisce i mo ghrúpa Facebook an tseachtain seo chugainn agus an téama atá thart air ná cineáltas! Agus is léir go bhfuil an cur i gcuimhne ag teastáil uaim féin! Más spéis leat a bheith páirteach sa dúshlán ní mór duit ach ballraíocht a ghlacadh sa ghrúpa anseo.

Next week I’m running a FREE 5 Day Challenge in my Facebook group Cultivating Inner Happiness and kindness is our theme and I obviously needed to give myself some of that kindness already! If you’d like to join us all you have to do is join the group here and it would be great to have you with us!

Freisin, beagán tacaíochta a thabhairt do theaghlaigh atá ag streachailt anois leis an scoileanna a bheith dúnta in athuair, gach trathnóna Luain ag 6in beidh mé ag léamh píosa aireachais ó na leabhair Relax Kids. Mairfidh na seisiúin thart ar 15 nóiméad agus beidh siad feiliúnach do dhaoine fásta agus daoine óga. Tosóidh mé an Luan seo ag 6in ag an nasc seo agus bheadh sé iontach cuid agaibh a bheith liom!

Also, to give some support to families during our next round of school closures, every Monday evening at 6pm GMT I will be reading a relaxation meditation from one of the Relax Kids books live on my Facebook page Solas Relaxation agus Relax Kids. The session will take about 15 minutes and is suitable for all ages! My plan is to make this a Monday evening, weekly event until schools open again so hopefully some of ye could join me!

Agus an rud deireanach atá ag teacht aníos ná mo chúrsa aireachais do dhaoine fásta. Beidh an téama cineáltas againn freisin; sin cineáltas dúinn féin agus do dhaoine eile. Tosóidh sé ar an Déardaoin, 21 Eanáir ag 7.30in. bronntanas álainn duit féin atá ann; uair sa tseachtain go hiomlán duit féin, ar mhaithe leat féin ach feicfidh tú buntáistí do na daoine atá thar timpeall ort freisin mar beidh tú ag labhairt leo agus ag teacht chucu ó áit atá níos réchúiseach agus suaimhneach. Tá an t-eolas ar fad ar fáil anseo nó cuir scéal chugam ag solasrelaxation@gmail.com.

And the final thing I have coming up is my mindfulness course for adults. This six week course will also be focusing on kindness; Cultivating Inner Kindness which will involve being kind to ourselves which in turn will be reflected in our relationships with others. We will be starting on Thursday, 21 January and it is a beautiful gift to yourself and to those around you who will notice a change in you and you will be coming into your interactions with them from a calmer place. All of the information is available here and if you have any questions or would like to have a chat with me just send me an email at solasrelaxation@gmail.com.

Idir an dá linn, bíodh seachtain deas agus sábhálta agaibh ar fad agus bí cineálta leat féin agus leo siúd atá thart ort!

And in the meantime, have a beautiful, safe week! And don’t forget to show yourself and those around you the kindness you all deserve xx

Rinne mé glan dearmad blag nua a chur amach an Aoine seo caite agus léiriú maith é sin ar an saol anois. Dúirt mé le duine éigin an tseachtain seo caite go raibh mí na Nollag níos ciúine dom i mbliana ó thaobh oibre de. Dúirt sí ‘Tá sin deas. Is féidir leat rudaí a thógáil go réidh.’ Níor thóg m go réidh é. Agus níos measa fós, níor thuig mé go raibh mé chomh ghnóthach sin fiú! Agus mar sin chuaigh an blag seo díreach amach as mo chloigeann an Aoine seo caite.

I completely forgot about this blog last Friday which I think is a good description of where my head is these days. I told someone this past week that work has been quieter for me this month and she said ‘that’s great! You can take things easy.’ I haven’t been taking things easy and worse still, I wasn’t even aware of how busy I was! So this blog went completely out of my head as I tried to put together something that made sense for my latest college assignment.

Tá cuid mhór daoine i ndiaidh a rá liom go bhfuil siad réidh do shos na Nollag anois agus tá mise ar aon intinn leo! Bhí bliain chrua agus fhada againn agus tá mé ag siúl go mór le rudaí a thógáil go réidh, faoi dheara!

I have heard loads of people talking about being ready for the Christmas break already and I am with them! It is been a tough, long year and I am so looking forward to taking things easy, at last!

Feicim go leor daoine ag caint air na spriocanna atá siad ag iarraidh a bhaint amach roimh deireadh na bliana seo agus mise san áit atá mé, tá siad ag cur isteach go mór orm. Tá mé ag iarraidh deireadh na bliana a bhaint amach chomh sciobtha is gur féidir liom le go mbeidh sos ceart agam. Tá mé ag iarraidh aclaíochta a dhéanamh (rud nach bhfuil mé ag déanamh faoi láthair), tá mé ag iarraidh bia ceart a thabhairt dom féin (rud atá mé ag déanamh beagán níos fearr ná an aclaíocht) agus tá mé ag iarraidh na rudaí atá sa dialann cheana féin a dhéanamh chomh maith agus gur féidir liom (rud atá mé ag déanamh go réasúnta maith) agus sin é; sin iad na spriocanna atá agam agus fanfaidh siad chomh simplí sin! Níl mé in ann d’aon rud eile! Agus is ar éigean go bhfuil mé in ann don mhéid sin!

I have seen loads of people talking about goals they want to achieve by the end of the year and because of where my head is right now, it’s really pissing me off. I want to get to the end of the year as soon as I can while doing a little exercise, eating relatively well and doing what is already on my calendar. I am achieving some of these things right now but I think even if I semi managed them I would be pretty proud!

Pé áit atá tusa; ag iarraidh cuid mhór a chríochnú nó le cuid mhór atá le críochnú roimh deireadh na bliana nó réidh don sos agus i ndiaidh é a thógáil go luath; lig de sin a bheith ann duit. Lig de sin a bheith ceart go leor. Níl rud ar bith cearr le pé áit atá tú.

Wherever you are right now; wanting or needing to get lots of things done and finished before year end or just making it through see if you can let that me OK. Can you just let yourself be where you are, without criticising yourself or judging yourself?

Ní bheidh blag eile uaim idir seo agus...am éigin i mí Eanáir. Níl mé ag iarraidh geallúint a thabhairt maidir le ham a bheidh mé ar ais ach má tá tú ag iarraidh fanacht i dteagmháil liom beidh mé ar fáil ar mo leathanach Facebook Solas Relaxation agus Relax Kids agus beidh rudaí beaga, deasa ag dul ar aghaidh i mo ghrúpa Facebook anseo.  

I will not be posting here again until sometime in January. I don’t want to commit to a date so I’m just going to see when it happens, but I will definitely be back. And if you want to still hear from me over the Christmas and New Year period I will be still on my Facebook page Solas Relaxation agus Relax Kids and I will also be posting little gems and treats in my Facebook group here.

Idir seo agus sin, bíodh Nollaig shona agus shábhálta agaibh ar fad xx

Between now and then, have a beautiful, safe and calm Christmas xx

Seo an chéad seachtain le píosa go raibh aon suim agam nó fuinneamh agam smaoineamh chun tosaigh. Sular tharla gach rud a tharla le cúpla mí anuas ní raibh mé go maith ag pleanáil cúrsaí agus dátaí. Ach leis an mbliain nua ag teannadh linn bhí a fhios agam go raibh rudaí go raibh mé ag iarraidh a dhéanamh agus pleananna a raibh mé ag iarraidh leagadh síos agus anois TÁ SÉ DÉANTA AGAM! Tá mé thar a bheith bródúil asam féin!

This is the first week in a while that I have had any interest or energy to think about anything that is not directly in front of me. Even before everything went down over these past few weeks I was not great at forward planning but I did and have known for a while that there are a few things I wanted to pin down for the new year and NOW I HAVE DONE IT! And I am so proud of myself!

Chuir mé ríomhphost mí na Samhna amach inné (má suim leat a bheith ar an liosta sin cuir ríomhphost go solasrelaxation@gmail.com) agus leis sin a dhéanamh bhí orm na dátaí a shocrú.

I sent out my November update email yesterday (if you want to be added to the list for these monthly emails send an email to solasrelaxation@gmail.com) and in order to send it out I had to think about and organise dates.

Beidh dúshlán 5 lá ar siúl agam i mí Eanáir i mo ghrúpa Facebook 5 Lá de Chineáltas ón 11ú go dtí 15ú lá. Beimid cineálta linn féin agus leis na daoine thart orainn le linn an dúshlán seo le moltaí agus rudaí beaga le déanamh. Úsáidfimid an anáil agus aireachas le cineáltas a léiriú dúinn féin agus feicfimid le linn na seachtaine go dtiocfaidh an cineáltas amach agus go dtabharfaidh daoine eile in ár saolta go bhfuil muid níos cineálta leo. Más suim leat a bheith páirteach linn, glac ballraíocht sa ghrúpa anseo.   

I will be running a 5 day challenge in my Facebook group 5 Days of Kindness Challenge from 11th to 15th January. During this week we are going to use our breath and a sense of awareness to remember to be kind to ourselves. There will be daily reminders and little things to do to show ourselves and those around us kindness. If you’d like to join us, you can join the Facebook group here.

An tseachtain dár gcionn, ar an Déardaoin, 21 Eanáir tosóidh cúrsa 6 seachtain le leanúint ar aghaidh ag cothú an chineáltais sin; Ag Cothú Cineáltais Inmheánach. Tá an cúrsa seo dírithe ar héinne atá ag iarraidh an chaidrimh atá acu leo féin a fheabhsú agus mar sin na caidrimh atá ina saolta a fheabhsú mar thoradh ar sin. Úsáidfimid aireachas agus beidh an intinn níos ciúine le gur féidir linn an guth olc sin atá ionann ar fad a ísliú agus beidh muid in ann glacadh linn féin ar bhealach níos fearr agus níos éifeachtaí. Cabhróidh an cúrsa seo le codail, strus agus buaireamh agus tá an t-eolas ar fad ar fáil anseo.  

The following week on Thursday, 21 January, I will start Cultivating Inner Kindness, a six-week adult course for anyone who is looking to improve their relationship with themselves and with others. During our time together we will use mindfulness and relaxation techniques to ease our busy minds and create space for kindness and acceptance of ourselves and of those around us. This course will improve your home environment, help you to have a slower way of life and in turn reduce stress and anxiety. You sleep will also be improved. All of the information is available here.  

Huzzah! Agus maith mise as ucht rud éigin fiúntach a dhéanamh! Beidh Katie sa todhchaí an-bhuíoch as an obair seo ar fad!

Huzzah to me! I’ll definately be giving myself a pat on the back! Future Katie will be very grateful for all of the work I’ve done!

Bhí mé agus tá mé ag streachailt go mór le cúpla seachtain anuas. Tá go leor ar siúl agam leis an obair, an coláiste agus mo sheisiúin leis an gcomhairleoir, gan trácht ar an mbeirt a chaill mé le déanaí agus mar sin níor chodail mé go maith le tamall anois. Codail éadrom a bhíonn ann nuair atá mé in ann titim i mo chodail agus bíonn brionglóidí aisteacha agam, ceann aréir a scanraigh go mór mé. Dúirt múinteoir atá agam sa choláiste go mbíonn ár intinn ag labhairt linn tríd na brionglóidí seo agus creidim féin ansin, go bhfuil muid ag iarraidh ciall a dhéanamh den méid a tharla le linn an lae sna brionglóidí agus sin an fáth gur scanraigh an ceann ón oíche aréir mé.

I am and I have been struggling for a few weeks now. I have a lot on with work, college, therapy, not even mentioning the two deaths that happened too recently so I haven’t slept well for a while now. When I do sleep it’s a very light sleep and I’m having all of these weird dreams and last night’s dream really scared me! One of my tutors in college said that our dreams are messages our psyche is sending to us and that they can be an indication that our psyche is disturbed. If this is the case my psyche is very very disturbed...

Go hiondúil ní maith liom a bheith ag tógáil drugaí le fáil réidh le pian, b’fhearr liom an chúis taobh thiar den phian nó cibé a aimsiú agus é a leighis gan drugaí mí-nádúrtha...bhuel is maith liom a bheith ag smaoineamh mar sin agus ansin tarlaíonn rud éigin agus tá mé ag mothú go holc agus ag iarraidh go stopadh an pian láithreach...agus sin a tharla an tseachtain seo. Bhí mé ag smaoineamh ar bealaí difriúla go d’fhéadfaidh mé cabhrú leis an gcodail go nadúrtha agus ansin luaigh duine éigin Panadol Night liom. Níor chuala mé trácht air ach dá má rud é go d’fhéadfaidh mé codail maith a fháil leis bhí mé breá sásta triail a bhaint as agus bhí sé iontach! Níor imigh na brionglóidí ach mhothaigh mé amhlaidh is gur bhfuair mé codail maith don chéad uair le coicís.

Normally I don’t like taking meditation prescribed by the doctor or from a pharmacy. I would rather find the root cause and tackle that....bhuel that is what I like to think and then something happens and I feel like proper shite and I reach for tablets because they’re so easy, maybe too easy to access. The same thing happened this time. Someone asked me if I had tried any natural remedies for bad sleep and I said no but I had even gotten to the point of trying something not natural. She suggested Panadol Night. I’d never heard of it but wow did it and does it work! I felt like a new person yesterday after a slightly deeper sleep then I had been having. I still had my strange dreams but I felt much more like I had properly slept.

D’inis mo chara tí dom gur féidir leat a bheith gafa leis agus nuair a chuala mo mháthair gur thóg mé é bhí sí ar an bhfón láithreach ach mar a luaigh mé, tá mé ag streachailt le déanaí agus má tá seo ag cabhrú liom is leor sin. Ní bhaineann sé le héinne eile ach an oiread ach is léir nach rud a dhéanaim go coitianta agus mé ag smaoineamh an méid seo air go bhfuil an blag seo ar fad bunaithe air! Ach mhothaigh mé níos fearr agus sin an príomhrud! Tá an-seans ann go dtógfaidh mé arís iad freisin! Tá siad uaim le leanúint ar aghaidh leis an saol agus tá siúl agam má tá rud sa bhreis, tacaíocht sa bhreis uait féin go dtógfaidh tú féin é, nó go n-iarrfaidh tú ar duine éigin cabhrú leat. Táimid uilig ag streachailt, go háirithe le linn na bliana olc seo! I ndiaidh labhairt amach faoin streachailt tuigim anois go dtugann sin cead do dhaoine eile labhairt amach. Shíl mé go raibh mé liom féin ach níl mé. Táimid uilig ag streachailt inár mbealach féin.

My housemate didn’t react positively when I told her I had taken it and when my mother found out she was straight on the phone but as I have mentioned, I have been struggling. A lot and not sleeping was adding to the struggle so if taking medication helped me to get through the week then I was happy to do that. Although it is abundantly clear that I am not fully OK with my decision considering I’ve dedicated this week’s blog entirely to it... but sure look, I felt better and I’ll probably take them again. If I need it to survive right now then I need it. And that goes for everyone; we are 8 months into a global pandemic; we are in round 2 of who knows how many rounds of lockdown; if you need something to help you survive, if you need to admit that you need help or even just need to admit that you’re struggling please do it. Whatever it is. Nobody knows you better then you so please get the help and ask for the support when you need it because we all need it at some point. I have realised by being open about how much I’m struggling has given other people the permission they need to be open about their own struggles so please don’t think you are alone. I thought I was but I’m not. This year has been really shit and difficult for so many of us in so many ways. You are not the only one.

Dé hAoine an 13ú lá; deir roinnt faoi láthair go bhfuil mí-ádh ag baint leis an lá seo ach bheadh an roinnt sin faoi thionchar an phatrarc. Sular raibh an lámh in uachtar ag an bpatrarc bhí ádh mhór ag baint leis an lá seo do mhná. Lá an Bhandia a bhí ann, lá le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an cuid baineann diaga atá ionann ar fad agus an timthriall de bhás, beatha agus athbhreith.

Friday the 13th! A lot of people seem to think that this is an unlucky day but those people would believe that because they are under the influence of the patriarchy. Before the patriarchy was in control Friday the 13th was considered to be a very lucky day. It was called the Day of the Goddess and was a time of celebration for the Divine Feminine that is within us all. It was a celebration of the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

Roghnaigh an patrarc an lá 13ú lá le híomhá ‘mí-ádh’ a chruthú thart air, toisc go bhfuil 13 timthriall ag an ngealach taobh istigh de 12 mhí; bíonn 13 ghealach lán agus dorcha in aon bhliain amháin agus toisc go leanann mná an timthriall na gealaí leis an timthriall atá againne go ginearálta bíonn 13 míostrú ag mná gach bhliain.

The 13th day and the number 13 has been considered unlucky for centuries. This is because the day is connected to women’s menstrual cycles. The moon has approximately 13 cycles – full moon to dark moon and back again – every 12 calendar months, on average women have the same amount of cycles as our cycles are connected to the moon.  

Ansin, an Aoine; baineann an Aoine leis an bpláinéad Véineas agus baineann Véineas leis an bhfuinneamh baineann. Sin fuinneamh cruthaíoch agus suilt. Tá an patrarc i ndiaidh íomhá olc a chruthú thart ar an Aoine. Deirtear gur mheall Eve Adam leis an úll ar an Aoine, agus ar an Aoine freisin go raibh air imeacht as na flaithis agus iontas na n-iontas, fuair sé bás ar Aoine chomh maith. Anuas ar sin, b’ea Aoine an Chéasta nuair a fuair Íosa Chríost bás.   

And Friday is the day of Venus, the planet of love, creativity and all things feminine energy. The patriarchy decided to make this day the day that Eve allegedly tempted Adam with the apple, it was also on a Friday that Adam was banished from Paradise, the day he repented and the day he died. This trend continued on until the ‘Good Friday’ that Jesus was killed.  

Ach tá mé ag iarraidh athghabháil a dhéanamh ar an lá seo. Tá mé ag iarraidh ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar na bandéithe atá ann agus ar an bhfuinneamh baineann atá istigh ionam féin. Bhí na fir, an patrarc agus fuinneamh fireann i gceannas leis na céadta bliain agus feicimid nach bhfuil sin i ndiaidh oibriú; ‘sé in am d’athrú! ‘Sé in am dúinn ar fad aithne a chur ar ár bhfuinneamh baineann agus ligint di a bheith i gceannas ar feadh píosa!

I personally would like to reclaim Friday the 13th. I want to return it to the Day of the Goddess and I want to celebrate and acknowledge my own feminine energy. We have seen what the patriarchy and masculine energy does when it is in charge so maybe now it is time to allow some feminine energy take the reins!

Mí na Samhna cheana féin! Agus tá mise go fóill ag snámh san fharraige! Seo an chineál smaoineamh a bhí agam nuair a thosaigh mé; go mbeadh sé iontach dá má rud é gur mise ceann de na daoine sin a bhíonn ag snámh san fharraige le linn na bliana ar fad ach anois tá mé ag smaoineamh b’fhéidir go bhfuil mé beagán as mo mheabhair. Agus b’fhéidir go bhfuil...

It’s November already! And I am still swimming in the sea! The thought I had when I started swimming was that it would be great if I could be one of those people who swims every day throughout the year, now I’ve reached the swimming in winter and I’m wondering if my sense has left me altogether...maybe it has...

Thosaigh mé le linn an samhraidh agus anois tá mé mar chuid de ghrúpa bean a bhuaileann le chéile uair sa tseachtain le dul ag snámh, agus téann cuid againn níos minice ná sin. Lean mé mo chroí anseo go Gaillimh agus isteach san fharraige agus anois tá cairde agam dá bharr. An chomhairle atá agam daoibh mar sin ná do chroí a leanúint, i gcónaí!

I started swimming during the summer and now I am part of a group of women who meet once a week to swim, and some of us swim more often then that. I followed my heart to Galway and then all the way into the sea and here we are now; with new friends being made during a pandemic. Huzzah! So my advice to everyone is to follow their heart, always!

Sin ar fad ráite, de réir mar a éiríonn na laethanta níos giorra tá níos mó tuirse ag teacht ormsa! Bhuel, níl a fhios agam an mbaineann an tuirse leis na hoícheanta dorcha nó díreach go raibh mé ag obair go dian le cúpla seachtain anuas agus ag dul i ngleic le go leor rudaí eile...pé cúis atá ann tá mé scriosta! Agus tá mé ag siúl go mór leis an Satharn a thógáil saor go hiomlán. Bhí mé in ann an Céadaoin a thógáil saor freisin agus cabhraigh sin go mór, ach ní leor lá amháin! Beidh orm é a thógáil go réidh le cúpla seachtain sílim agus ní cheart go mbeidh sin ródheacair agus muid i lár dianghlasála a dó! Ach fós féin, leis an obair ar fad atá ar bun againn ar líne, caithfimid a bheith cúramach go dtógfaimid sosanna, go háirithe muna bhfuil tú cleachtadh le bheith ag obair ón mbaile!

All that being said, as the days get shorter, I get more and more tired. My tiredness may be down to the dark or it may a result of a really intense workload these past few weeks and a lot to process at the same time, but whatever the reason is I cannot wait to take tomorrow off! I took Wednesday off this week as well and it was great! But one day was definitely not enough! I’m really going to be mindful over the next few weeks and try to generally take things easy, which shouldn’t be too difficult considering we’re in Lockdown Round 2 but with everything transferred to online I’m still pretty busy! Which is a reminder to us all to remember to take breaks and to take time off, especially for those of us not used to working from home. It can be so easy to do more work then you would usually because you’re doing it all from home!

Tá cúrsa nua do dhaoine fásta ag tosú agam an tseachtain seo chugainn agus is cúrsa iontach é d’éinne a bhíonn deacrachtaí acu sosanna a thógáil. Creating Inner Calm through Mindfulness is ainm den chúrsa agus tugann sé deis do na rannpháirtithe spás ina dteach féin a aimsiú leis an aireachais a dhéanamh ar feadh uair an chloig ar feadh sé seachtain. Cabhraíonn an cúrsa le héinne a bhíonn deacrachtaí codalta acu, daoine a bhíonn ag smaoineamh go leor. Nuair a bhíonn tú féin níos ciúine agus níos socraithe bíonn an domhain thar timpeall ort níos ciúine agus níos moille.

I have a new adult course starting next week that might be of interest to those of you that find it difficult to take time off. Creating Inner Calm through Mindfulness gives the participants the chance to find a suitable quiet and comfortable space in their own home to practice sitting in quiet and calm for one hour a week for six weeks. This course can help with difficulty sleeping, busy minds that won’t quieten and anxiety. When our inner world is calmer and quieter than our outer world becomes calmer and quieter.

Tá tuilleadh eolais ar an gcúrsa ar fáil anseo agus cuir scéal chugam más suim leat ann agus is féidir linn é a phlé.

There is more information about this course available here and if anyone is interested send me a message and we’ll have a chat about it.

Oíche Shamhna ag teannadh linn ach ní bheidh sé cosúil le hOíche Shamhna ar bith eile a bhí againn! Ar an gcéad dul síos, níl na Gaeil ag freastail ar Oireachtas na Gaeilge agus anuas ar sin, níl cead ag na páistí dul ó dhoras go doras le milseáin a fháil nó fiú in ann dul go teach cairde leo le cóisir bheag a bheith acu!

Halloween weekend! But it won’t be like any other Halloween that we have known! And not just because the Irish festival Oireachtas na Samhna isn’t happening; no children knocking at the door expecting sweets when I’ve clearly just forgotten, no going over to anyone’s house, it’s looking like it’ll be fairly grim...or maybe we just need to become more creative and come up with some different ways to celebrate Halloween this year.

Tá na hoícheanta ag éirí dorcha agus an aimsir níos fuaire agus níos measa ach airím féin go bhfuil muid cineál ar ais i mí an Mhárta nuair a thosaigh an dianghlasáil ar an gcéad lá riamh. Dúirt cara liom an tseachtain seo go gcaithfidh mé cinnte a dhéanamh go bhfuil mé ag déanamh aclaíochta agus go bhfuil mé ag ithe i gceart agus tá an ceart ar fad aige! Rinne mé dearmad go mbeidh orm iarracht a dhéanamh dul i mbun aclaíochta; rud a tháinig go nádúrtha chugam nuair a d’aimsigh mé routine le linn an chéad dianghlasáil. B’fhéidir go raibh sé níos fusa ansin os rud é go raibh an aimsir níos fearr agus na laethanta níos faide. B’fhéidir. Níl mé cinnte.

The evenings are darker and the weather is wetter and colder but I feel a little bit like time has stood still and that we are back in March again when lockdowns started first. My friend told me this week to eat properly and to do exercise and he’s not wrong. I forgot that I would have to make separate time for exercise. Once I got into a routine during the first lockdown exercise was easily included but this time it’s already feeling like a chore. Maybe it’s because of the darker evenings and the colder weather...maybe. But I’m not sure.

Chomh maith le hOíche Shamhna le bheith linn an deireadh seachtaine seo beidh an ghealach lán againn freisin! Seo an darna gealach lán an mhí seo agus mar sin an ghealach gorm a thugtar uirthi.

This weekend is not only Halloween but it is also the full moon, which is falling on Halloween and it is also the second full moon on October so it is called a blue moon.

Mar atá ráite agam sa bhlag seo cheana, cailleadh beirt atá aithne agam orthu le déanaí agus mar sin ní bheidh mé ag déanamh searmanais na Gealaí Láin ar mo leathanach Facebook an uair seo. Ní dhearna mé físeán beo ar Facebook ó shin ach tá mé cinnte go dtiocfaidh mé ar ais chucu, i ndiaidh tamaill ach díreach anois tá mé ag iarraidh a bheith mall agus cineálta liom féin. Beidh mé ag déanamh físeáin bheo sa ghrúpa Facebook Boost Your Skills, Boost Your Brand with Miss Digital Media agus toisc go mbeidh sé i ngrúpa beag a bheidh sé sílim gur tús maith a bheidh ann dom! Ach má tá éinne agaibh ag iarraidh searmanais a dhéanamh duit féin, seo chugaibh nasc go searmanas a rinne mé cúpla mí ó shin; Searmanas Mí Lúnasa.

As I have said here before, I lost two people recently so I am not going to be doing a full moon ceremony on my Facebook page this time. My brain hasn’t fully switched back on since the deaths and I am being slow and gently with myself as I learn how to live again normally so I am sure I will be back to Facebook lives but for now, I am taking it easy. That being said, I am doing a live in the Boost Your Skills, Boost Your Brand with Miss Digital Media Facebook group, which I am viewing as a stepping stone to getting back to some sense of normality. But for those of you looking for a ceremony here is a link to a ceremony I did a little while ago: August Full Moon Ceremony.

Bainigí sult as Oíche Shamhna agus an ghealach lán agus bí cineálta agus deas leat féin agus muid ar fad ag streachailt leis an méid ar fad atá ag dul ar aghaidh ar fud an domhain!

So enjoy your strange and different Halloween and be gentle with yourself as the energy of this full moon passes over us and the craziness and topsy-turvy-ness of the world continues.

Sílim go bhfuil muid uilig ag mothú thíos an tseachtain seo, cé go bhfuil cúiseanna éagsula ag cuid againn ‘sé dianghlasáil a dó atá ag déanamh buaireamh agus imní don chuid is mó den tír. Tá mé féin buartha faoi chúrsaí meabhairshláinte. D’imigh cara amháin liom de bharr an ruda ar fad go dtí seo agus níl mé ag iarraidh éinne eile a chailliúint.

A lot of us are feeling a bit down this week, although some of us have other reasons then others the general feeling is a feeling of fear, concern and worry as we are told to sit in Lockdown Round 2. I am personally worried about my and other people’s mental health. I have lost one friend as a result of all of this and I really don’t want to lose anyone else.

Chonaic mé rud éigin ar na meáin shóisialta inné faoi smaointe dearfacha nó positive thinking mar a deirtear i mBéarla. Tá mé féin i ndiaidh an-chuid a fheiceáil faoi sin, daoine ag iarraidh orainn a bheith dearfach faoi rud éigin nach bhfuil go maith.

I saw something yesterday on social media about all of this positive thinking that we’re fed. This post was talking about how unnecessary and not good for us it is to talk about only the positives and ignore the bad things, especially at a time that things are pretty grim.

Tuigim go bhfuil go leor rudaí maithe i gceist leis an dianghlasáil; níos mó ama ag daoine, níos lú tráchta, tá an-chuid daoine i ndiaidh aithne níos fearr a chur ar a gceantar féin agus an nádúr thart orthu. Ach anuas ar sin, tá an-chuid drochrudaí ann faoi freisin; ní cead againn buaileadh le daoine nach bhfuil cónaí orainn leo, tá gnólachtaí ar fud na tíre dúnta, níl cead againn spórt a imirt, tá daoine uaigneach agus braon de ranganna Zoom agus an t-am ar fad a chaitheamh os comhair scáileáin. Níl sé go maith don chorp nó don intinn.

I do understand and know that there are a lot of good aspects to the lockdown; people have more free time, there is less traffic on the roads, it is a chance to get to know your area better and to spend time in the nature surrounding you (if there is nature around you...). But I also know that lockdown sucks! Staring at a screen all day is really tiring, I’m not allowed to play sport anymore, businesses all across the country have had to close their doors. It isn’t good for our physical body or our mental state.

Tá daoine uaigneach agus muna thugann muid deis go daoine admháil nach bhfuil rudaí go maith mothóidh siad níos uaigní. Bíonn nasc agus cairdeas níos fearr agam le daoine nuair is féidir liom admháil leo nach bhfuil rudaí rómhaith. Tuigeann daoine an streachailt, chomh maith leis na rudaí maithe agus mar a deirim le daoine muna mothaíonn muid na mothúcháin nach maith linn i gceart ní bheidh muid in ann na mothúcháin gur maith linn a mhothú mar is ceart ach an oiread.

People are lonely and if we don’t give them a chance to admit the negative things and feelings they are having, they’re going to feel even more lonely. I find that I have a better relationship with people when I can tell them that things aren’t going so well for me. People understand and can relate to the struggle even more so sometimes then they can relate to the positive things happening for you.

Le linn ranganna le daoine fásta agus daoine óga, iarraim orthu rudaí maithe a tharla an lá sin a insint dom. Labhraíonn muid faoi na rudaí gur maith linn a bheith ag déanamh agus na rudaí a thugann ardú croí dúinn. Ag na hamanna seo, níl mé ag iarraidh neamhairde a dhéanamh ar na drochrudaí ach tá mé ag iarraidh níos mó spáis a thabhairt do na rudaí maithe. Is rud nádúrtha é don duine daonna a bheith ag smaoineamh ar na drochrudaí an t-am ar fad, sin an fáth gur mhair muid chomh fada seo, coinnigh sin slán muid ach anois ní gá dúinn a bheith chomh imníoch agus buartha, bhuel ní ag an leibhéal céanna is a bhí orainn nuair a bhí muid buartha faoi ainmhí dár ithe agus mar sin.

During my adult and my children’s classes I aske them to tell me about something good that happened for them that day. It is not that I am ignoring the negative things that are happening but we spend so much time focused on the negatives that I want to give some airtime to the positives as well. As human beings we have a negativity bias, we are more likely to focus on what went wrong then what went right because that is how we have survived. If something good happened to us way back when we were cavepeople we survived and it was fine but if something bad happened we more the likely died therefore it was important to be wary of the bad. Now however, our brains have stayed in that ‘look out for danger’ mode and we worry and stress about things that aren’t physically going to kill us. So it is perfectly natural for you to focus on that stupid thing you said in that meeting instead of all of the not-stupid things you said but during my classes I want people to acknowledge that amongst the negative is good too.

Mar sin nuair a labhraíonn muid ar na rudaí gur maith linn bíonn duine nó beirt i gcónaí ag iarraidh drochrud a insint dom (go háirithe sna ranganna do na páistí) ach ag an am sin níl mé ag iarraidh díriú isteach ar drochrudaí, tá spás ann do sin.
Le linn an cuid luigh síos sna ranganna do theaghlaigh iarraim ar na rannpháirtithe smaoineamh ar an mbealach atá siad ag mothú agus iarraim orthu gan aon rud a dhéanamh len é a athrú, díreach smaoineamh air mar níl aon rud mícheart le haon mhothúcháin, fiú muna maith linn féin é. Mar sin, an tseachain seo, an féidir leat ligint de na drochsmaointe, drochmhothúcháin agus na rudaí diúltacha faoin dianghlasáil seo a bheith ann. Ní gá duit stop a chur leo, ní gá duit aon rud a athrú fúthu, díreach aithin go bhfuil siad ann agus feicfimid céard a tharlaíonn.

During the relaxing, lying down part of my family classes, I ask the participants to notice how they are feeling. I name some nice feeling emotions and some not so nice feeling emotions and I ask them to just be aware of it, they don’t need to change it or do anything about it, just notice it. This week, see if you can just notice how you’re feeling or what you’re thinking. Just notice it, whatever it is; good, bad, indifferent and see if you can just let it be there. Let whatever is there to be there without judgement and just see what happens.

Tá tuilleadh eolais ar fáil faoi mo ranganna agus cúrsaí ar fáil ar an leathanach seo don suíomh.

There is more information on all of my courses and classes on this page of my site.

Shíl mé go raibh seachtain olc agam an uair dheireanach go raibh mé ag scríobh anseo agus ansin d’éirigh rudaí níos measa. Ghlaoigh mo mháthair orm agus mé ag freastail ar shochraid cara liom le hinsint dom go bhfuil m’uncail ar shlí na firinne. Mhínigh sí dom céard a tharla ó gur d’fhág mé Baile Átha Cliath le dul go Béal Feirste cúpla uair an chloig roimhe. Ní dóigh liom gur chuala mé mórán.

I though I had had a bad week when I was last writing here and then things got worse. My mother rang me to tell me my uncle had died while I was between my friend’s wake and her funeral. She told me what had happened since I had left Dublin for Belfast a few hours beforehand but I didn’t hear much of the story.

Tá mé ar ais i nGaillimh anois le seachtain anuas, bhuel le beagnach seachtain. Dúirt cara liom go raibh sé de ceart agam rudaí a thógáil go réidh toisc go ndeachaidh mé trí go leor. Níor thuig mé go dtí go bhfaca mé an teachtaireacht sin nach raibh mé ag iarraidh rudaí a thógáil go réidh. Bhí mé agus tá mé ag iarraidh a bheith an-ghnóthach le nach mbeidh orm smaoineamh ar an méid a tharla le cúpla seachtain anuas.

I’m back in Galway now. I’ve been back for almost a week after a week away. My friend told me that I should take it easy because I’ve been through a lot. It wasn’t until after I saw her message that I realised that I had been avoiding resting; filling my days and evenings with work and badminton and teaching. Without realising I was doing it I was avoiding resting because if I rest then what has actually just happened might hit me. I don’t want it to hit me. I want to pretend like it never happened in the first place.

Mar mhúinteoir aireachais bím ag iarraidh ar dhaoine suigh leis an méid atá ag dul ar aghaidh dóibh, fiú muna bhfuil sé go deas agus mar chomhairleoir faoi oiliúint bím agus beidh mé ag rá an rud céanna. Ach níl mé ag iarraidh sin a dhéanamh anois. Níl mé in ann b’fhéidir. Mar mhúinteoir aireachais agus comhairleoir faoi oiliúint tuigim nach bhfuil muid in ann dul i ngleic le gach rud ag aon am amháin. Tuigim go bhfuil spás uainn agus go bhfuil orainn sos a thógáil uaireanta.

As a mindfulness teacher I teach people to sit with whatever is going on for them in the present moment. As a trainee counsellor I will be and I am doing the same thing but right now, I don’t want to take my own advice. Maybe I’m not able to take it right now. As a mindfulness teacher and a trainee counsellor I understand that we can only deal with what we can deal with. I understand that when things get overwhelming we just need to step away from them for a while.

Tá mé ag tógáil sosa ón méid a tharla le podchraoltaí, closleabhar, Netflix rud ar bith a thabharfaidh sos dom ó mo smaointe féin. Tá mé airdeallach ar an méid atá mé ag seachaint agus tá mé airdeallach go bhfuil mé ag seachaint rudaí agus mar sin tá sé ceart go leor na rudaí seo a sheachaint...nach bhfuil....?

Podcasts, audiobooks and Netflix are all providing me with thoughts and ideas that are not my own and that is exactly what I need right now. I am consciously avoiding the fact that two people I love are now gone. I am aware that I’m doing it so that makes it OK...right...?

Tá an aireachas deacair dom féin faoi láthair. Tá sé doiligh dom fanacht san am i láthair agus díriú isteach ar an rud atá mé ag mothú mar níl mé ag mothú go maith. Fuair mé drochscéal an tseachtain seo agus de réir mar a leanann na laethanta ar aghaidh tá mé ag dul i dtaithí ar an smaoineamh agus níl sé deas.
I am struggling with my mindfulness practice at the minute. It is hard for me to stay in the present and sit with what I am feeling because I’m not feeling good. I got bad news during the week and as it sinks in more and more each day my not pleasant emotions are getting bigger and bigger and it’s not nice to sit in the here and now.

Seo chugaibh cúpla rud beag a dhéanaim féin nuair nach bhfuil mé in ann suigh leis an méid atá mé ag mothú nó ag smaoineamh
Here are a few ideas for things to try when you just don’t want to sit with what is

1. Snámh san fharraige; bíonn an t-uisce chomh fuar nach bhfuil mé in ann smaoineamh ar aon rud eile. Swim in the sea; the water is so cold I can’t think of anything else
2. Damhsa; bogann sé an corp agus an fhuil thart agus tá mé in ann díriú isteach ar an mbogadh. Dance! Get the blood moving around your body again and focus on the feeling of your body moving instead of the emotions
3. Siúil cosnochta ar an bhféar. Baineann mothú an fhéir as mo chloigeann mé agus isteach sna rudaí atá thart orm. Walk barefoot in the grass. The feeling of grass under my feet brings be straight out of my head and into whatever is around me
4. Breathnú ar an teilifís. Níl aon rud níos fearr uaireanta ná an saol a sheachaint agus breathnú ar rud éigin éadrom ar an teilifís. Watch TV. There is nothing better sometimes then avoiding live and watching something light and possibly trashy on TV
5. Téigh ag siúl agus éist le podchraoladh ar ábhar éadrom. Go for a walk and listen to a nice, easy listen podcast

Céard a dhéanann tusa leis an saol a sheachaint?
What do you do to avoid?

Sílim go gcreideann daoine uaireanta gur olc an rud é an seachaint ach níl muid in ann dul i ngleic agus deileáil ach leis an méid gur féidir linn dul i ngleic leis. Nuair atá rudaí doiligh, ná bíodh drogall ort rud éigin a dhéanamh le nach mbeidh tú ag smaoineamh air ar feadh tamaillín fiú.
I think people think that we shouldn’t avoid our feelings and what is happening but sometimes the only way through it is to avoid feeling it. We can only deal with what we can deal with so if what is happening for you is a little bit too much feel free to tune out and focus on something else for as long as you need to!

Tabhair aire duit féin agus do na daoine atá thart ort. Níl an tréimhse seo éasca d’éinne againn!
Look after yourself and those around you. This isn’t an easy time for any one of us!