Creating Connection

Pops of calm is the audio of live videos I share on social media, of real life mindfulness and connection.   Because it' s all about practical strategies that you can use everyday. They will generally be on my iphone, so audio is not the same as the regular Creating Connection podcast. If you find them helpful, I'd love to know.    Go gently, be kind to yourself. Kim xx If you'd lik...

Connection can be an abstract concept. Sometimes a metaphor can help. ____________________________________________________________________________  Thank you for joining me on Creating Connection. What does connection mean to you?  I see it as the antidote to loneliness that is so prevalent throughout the world.  To increase connection start with an authentic and accepting understan...

Being fully present in a conversation can be really tough. In this episode I share five simple strategies about how you can be there fro someone else when they want to talk to you.  Whether it's about something super important or whether it's a 'normal' conversation and you want to strengthen and deepen your relationship with them. What are the five strategies? Letting go of expectations Putt...

Did you know that you are part of a network, whether you want to be or not? Yep,  a network is a group of people who are connected to each other.  Whether that be directly or indirectly.  For example your closest friend is part of your network and so is there cousin who comes out with you from time to time. Your teachers, your boss, your LinkedIn connections, the people in your team...

Poor mental health, such as chronic anxiety and/or depression can grossly interfere with your ability to connect with and trust yourself, and connect with others.   In this episode I touch on some signs that this might be happening to you. If you have been experiencing poor mental health for a long time, seek help sooner rather than later.  Everyone's mental health journey is different....

As you work through introducing new habits in your life, here are 9 keys that can help.  These include practicing self-compassion, structure and  Click here to download your copy of the Creating Habits Checklist.   ============================= Thank YOU for joining me on Creating Connection.  What does connection mean to you?  I see it as the antidote to loneliness that i...

In this episode I discuss the six steps in the process of change and SMART goals. Click here for the handout on the Stages of Change and SMART goals.  For more information about the process of change - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transtheoretical_model#cite_note-Prochaska2005-1. ============================= Thank YOU for listening. If you like this episode and want to put more intentional...

FOCUS Declutter what you are no longer interested in Commit one thing at a time.  One course, one membership Stop gathering more followers - connect with those you already have. Regularly checking in - what do you need? Check in with the quality of your existing connections. Can they be strengthened? ============================= Thank YOU for listening. If you like this episode and want to p...

Do you remember the rush of starting your first job, or a new job? Excitement, nerves, anticipation, energy, enthusiasm.  Wanting to do your best and make a good impression.  Perhaps a bit of Imposter Syndrome standing beside you giving you encouraging words like – “Are you sure you’re up to it?” You expect in those early times for the work to take longer, as you are on a learning curve....

Hands up if you thought that becoming a mental health professional meant you were entering a field where mental health would be important. Where perhaps your workplace, professional organisations and peers would understand and facilitate environments where mental health was prioritised?  Me too.  I worked for many years in various Government departments before becoming a psychologist. Th...

I can almost guarantee if you are listening to this you have experienced Imposter Syndrome. When I first graduated I had this big time! And when I became a mother, and when I first went to Uni. It keeps popping up! It describes the feeling when you are in a situation where you are ‘expected’ to know things and to be able to perform at a particular level when you are not feeling ready for it. It’s...

Once you know where you are and where you want to get to, intentional networking can help bridge the gap, (and save you some time in going down endless rabbit holes.). Networking has been said to be 'connecting people with people, people with ideas and people with opportunities' - Michele Jennae You want to share your knowledge and experiences to help others (paid/unpaid - coaching/mentoring/works...

You know networking is important, and that connection is important to help avoid burnout and set yourself up for a successful and sustainable career.  So you reach out and friend and follow others, and they reach out and follow you and before you know it you are connected to all these people you don't actually know.  And you aren't connecting with the people you want to connect with. &nb...

Many mental health professionals seem to be coming back from holidays feeling unrested.  In this bonus episode I discuss some of the possible reasons for this, and some of the things I did to help maximise my break.   I also include some reflection questions to help you figure out what you really need to reset your equilibrium. ---------------------------------- To see the programs menti...

Whether you are a psych, psychiatrist, mental health nurse, mental health social worker, mental health OT, counsellor, or are working in a different capacity in the mental health field, we share something in common. An inbuilt desire to help others improve their mental health. Not many people know how it feels to sit in acceptance with another human being. To encourage people to share with your th...

When I started as a new solo private mental health practitioner – it was drilled into me that I had to be visible on social media.  Maybe you’ve heard the same thing.  However, what is the opportunity cost here? To mark the start of the New Year I planned a 3 day digital detox.  I was so excited and committed that I wrote up the 7 Step Digital Detox Program.  The first step of...

As a (solo private) mental health practitioner I know how easy it is to feel isolated.  For many years I worked for a government organisation, and for better or worse, there was always someone you could have a quick chat with.  It’s one of the reasons I worked for headspace for a while – so that I knew there would be people around I could touch base with. This podcast shows you how you d...

How to tame your social media is a glimpse into the 7 Step Digital Detox Program.  In this episode I outline the main yardstick for curating your social media. This is one way to create more opportunities for deeper connection and understanding of yourself, and be more available to those in your physical space.  The full program is available now at https://positiveyoungminds.vipmembervau...

If someone asks you how you are feeling, what do you reply?  In this episode I look at five reasons why your answer may not be helping you. You can find the  7 Step Digital Detox Program discussed in the episode here ..   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Loneliness often stems from a belief that no-one truely car...

With so much written about connection and finding your authentic self, it can become overwhelming.  My aim is to help you with this gently, and simply.   You can deepen connection with yourself and the world around you wherever you are.  In the episode I use my relationship with my cherry tree as an example of everyday mindful connection. --------------------------------------------...

Journaling can help you find and connect with your authentic self. Have you ever felt lost? Like me, have you felt that somewhere along the way you took a wrong turn, veered of the path, or just became bamboozled with what life threw at you? It can feel like a battle to create your own space in a world that is often driven by consumerism, material success and 'progress'. However, there is a growin...

In this episode, I explore expectations and confidence around Christmas and reducing Christmas Stress.  What is on your 'should do' list and what is on your 'want to do' list?  Do they overlap at all?  And what to do about it. What happens when you step back and simply observe all the expectations and how it feels to have them?  Look at them again.  Where have they come from?  Are...

Each year leading up to Christmas when we ask ourselves what we want for Christmas, I find this an inspiring time to actually look at what I have.  We know that if you are looking to increase the happiness in your life that putting time and energy into experiences rather than things is the way to go. However, things have a way of accumulating.  Whether you have bought them with good inte...

This episode is different from normal.  The Path visualisation that I mention is one I have given to many families and children over the years, as well as using them with my own children.  I don't usually give the meditation, but I thought, why not.  It is a time where we are trying to squeeze every last bit of relaxation into our lives that we can and I hope that you find this useful - either...

Creativity is the act of creating something.  Whether that's a poem, a painting or a story.  Or a solution, a new way of being or a new perspective.  Or a meal, a garden or anything whereby you get to use your personality, your gifts, your ideas to create something that didn't exist before. ____________________ How can I feel more connected?  If you are seeking the answer to th...