As the days grow longer (yippee!), the clocks in the UK jumped forward an hour this weekend and we’ve been embracing spring flowers blooming, it got me thinking that nature has a unique way of renewing itself every year.  But what about us?  New Year’s Resolutions were a long time ago.  We find ourselves getting caught up in the busyness of life that we can suddenly find ourselves in a web of exhaustion, stress and overwhelm.  Sound familiar?  Whether it's from the demands of work, family, or personal struggles, our thoughts can be destructive and leave us stuck in (unhelpful) cycles of burnout and anxiety.

But what if I told you that you could transform this stress and start to change your outlook in a positive way?  What if you could finally find some peace amidst the chaos of everyday life?

It’s possible, and it starts with one very powerful idea which I love:

“You are not your thoughts. You are the observer of your thoughts.” - Amit Ray

Understanding the Power of Your Thoughts

We can often feel overwhelmed by the constant flow of thoughts in our heads. In fact, studies suggest that the average person has between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts per day!  There is no definitive number as we are all individuals – no one person is the same (an interesting discussion for another blog I think!)  That’s an incredible number of thoughts zipping through our minds in a 24-hour period, many of them uninvited and repetitive.  Some of these thoughts are positive and uplifting, but many are negative, critical, and draining.

Here’s where we can start to break free: you are not your thoughts. It’s easy to fall into the trap of convincing yourself that every passing thought that pops into your mind is true.  If you're feeling stressed, you might think, "I am so overwhelmed" or "I can’t handle this."  These thoughts may feel true in the moment, but they don’t define you.

When you begin to recognise that thoughts come and go, like clouds drifting across the sky, or leaves floating by on a stream, you can start to take a step back and observe them without being consumed by them.  This is a core principle that I use in my work with clients.  Instead of letting your thoughts control your emotions, you can take back your power by choosing not to believe every thought that arises.

Let the Spring be a Chance for Renewal

This season, as we gain an extra hour of daylight, something I am grateful for, it’s a perfect opportunity to "spring forward" in your own life.  Just as nature is shifting and renewing itself, so too can you.

The change in time often signals a time of transition, a reminder that change is constant—and it can be a positive force in our lives. It’s the ideal moment to reflect on the ways you’ve been living and think about how you want to feel moving forward.  Instead of letting stress and burnout continue to dictate your life, why not take this shift in time as a cue to take back control and begin making some positive changes that will support your well-being?

YOU have the power to reset and start fresh.  By addressing the root causes of your stress, you can begin to adjust your mindset, too—move toward a place of calm, balance, and greater peace.

How I Can Help: Techniques That Address Stress at the Core

So how can you begin to untangle the web of overwhelming thoughts and find the peace you deserve? Here are a few techniques that can help you do just that:

1. Visualisation:  Our minds are incredibly powerful, and what we focus on grows. Visualisation is a technique where we use our imagination to create positive mental images that help us shift our emotional state. Whether it’s imagining yourself on a sandy beach, a peaceful floral garden or a place that makes you feel safe and calm, this technique helps break the cycle of negative thinking and shifts your mindset to a more peaceful one. With consistent practice, you can retrain your mind to associate calmness and clarity when faced with any stressful situation.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is all about noticing and challenging unhelpful thoughts and ideas.  In simple terms, we learn to spot the thoughts that create stress, anxiety, and self-doubt, and then replace them with more realistic, balanced thoughts.  It’s like training your brain to automatically think in healthier ways. Through structured exercises, you can start to change the aut
   omatic thought patterns that keep you stuck in unhelpful cycles of stress and overwhelm.
3. Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a powerful tool that allows you to focus on your goal.  By creating a deep sense of relaxation and focused attention, hypnosis enables lasting change and helps you replace stress with positive, empowering beliefs about yourself and your life.

Becoming the Person You Want to Be

By using a mixture of these techniques—Visualisation, CBT, Mindfulness and Hypnosis—you can unpick the layers of stress and overwhelm that have been holding you back.  As you start to observe your thoughts without judgment, you create space to make different choices.  You can choose to replace negative, self-defeating thoughts with affirmations of strength, self-compassion, and resilience.

You are not stuck.

You are not of your thoughts.

You can change.

And with that change comes the opportunity to become the person you’ve always wanted to be.

Take the First Step Today

If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck, I’m here to help.  Together, we can work through the thoughts that have been holding you back and use transformative techniques to help you break free from the cycle of stress.  You don’t have to do it alone.

Remember, you are not your thoughts. You are the observer, the one who has the power to choose. And that, my friend, is where your transformation begins.