Dear Listeners,

Thank you for listening to my post therapy talk podcast. This is an announcement ending, as I am putting a closure on this podcast.

My views on counselling and therapy:

I think these services can be useful especially if you are someone who is unable to/or finds it painful to open up to people who you know or who you are close to. Especially if you fear judgement from said people or you are from a culture that stigmatizes speaking to to others about your feelings/or traumatic experiences.

Counselling and therapy allows you to express how you are feeling in a safe non-judgemental space.

The criticisms I have about professional counselling and therapy services are the long waiting times if using a public free service and short time that is provided for these sessions. Usually 6-8 weeks only, which is far too short, as it could take months or years for someone to even see progress. Though everyone is different.

There is also the cost. To get immediate access to these services cost money (private) and the other services that are free (through NHS or similar health services in other countries), usually have a long waiting list, so a lot of people are not benefiting from the services or don't pursue with the service due to the long waiting list, which is totally understandable.

The quality of counselling and therapy can also vary. There are some that provide a really good service and some that really need to do better and make vast improvements. You will have to find the service that you feel the most comfortable with and where you think you will benefit the most from.

I hope these episodes have helped someone out there who is listening and that it may encourage you to talk to someone and get support, whether that be through therapy, counselling (even if it is for a short time, it is better to speak to someone than not at all). Or by confiding in someone you know who you can trust if you are going through any turmoil or trauma in your life.

Another recording which I hope will help someone out there who may be going through something similar.

Helplines and services:

Samaritans

Mind

NHS Mental Health

I have always said that the best thing about travelling is the people that you meet. So far, I have been very fortunate to have met some truly wonderful people in every travel destination that I have been to over the years.

This is also why I always say don't rely on what you've seen, heard or read on the news or in the media, as a lot of it is scaremongering propaganda. Yes, of course, dangerous places and people exist, but there are also a lot more absolutely warm, kind, generous and wonderful people as well as stunning locations out there on our amazing planet.

Location: Albania & Montenegro - June 2024

An internet/technology cleanse is necessary sometimes and it is something that I highly encourage.

This episode was recorded outdoors.

I had come across some website articles and video content about people who have no friends and they feel ashamed about it or they think something is wrong with them.

In this episode I give my perspective on this.

I had travelled extensively and lived in a lot of different places for many years. Whilst I found it really easy to make friends and had built close relationships during those times, it was much harder to maintain these friendships because I was always moving on to the next place. As I have gotten older (I'm now in my 50's), and I am not the social butterfly/party animal anymore, it is more difficult to meet genuine people who are on my wavelength. However, I am also now really enjoying being alone and in my own space. This allows me to focus on things that bring a sense of calm, contentment and peace in my life.

Some people prefer not to have any friends, whereas other people want to make new friends, but are unable to for various reasons. Either way, as humans we need some form of connection with other humans for our well-being. I hope this podcast episode has helped in some way. Here are some links that might be helpful to anyone out there reading this:

⁠https://www.verywellmind.com/i-have-no-friends-what-to-do-5200867

⁠⁠

https://www.healthline.com/health/relationships/i-have-no-friends

What also helps a lot is getting off social media (permanently deleting social media is even better), and spending more time in real life. This does wonders for your mental health when you are able to switch off from the internet from time to time and focus on what matters most.

#positivity #2023 #winter2023

Thoughts on politics, world issues and it's impact on us globally.

The video is only available on Spotify!

Video trailer intro to podcast in 2021

During the 2021 Covid-19 lockdown, I talk about all of my past work experiences, having worked not 75 jobs, (in 2005 It was 70), but actually over 100 jobs during a 32 year period (1988-2020). I had worked in a variety of industries over the years and reflect on these experiences in this recording.

I mentioned not being a cook, but I actually do really enjoy cooking, just not at that particular job at the time.