After a wonderful June – where Lalith and I enjoyed a wonderful few days on our fully booked residential doctors retreat (receiving 100% 5/5 rating for overall experience 🙌🏼), July has been a flurry of activity.
But with feedback quotes like this it is all worth it:
“Thank you! Keep doing what you’re doing, and don’t be afraid to tell the whole world about it, so you can help others get on track.”
“it was an essential reminder of the importance of self care. An opportunity to reset, prioritise self, have time to consider how to get that work life balance right. Guided by the wonderful human being that is Jo. The most knowledgeable person I know about nature and life. It’s like a big hug!”
For subscribers there is a full/ slightly different version of this Newsletter – but in summary:
Thank you to all my coaching clients. I value the time and sharing of the coaching space.
Thank you to everyone who has attended the various workshops and retreats. Our group events are made special by the people and the understanding and learning that we share.
Highlights of the month:
GP training day wellbeing session in Swindon. 80 + attendees – we enjoyed listening to each other, discussing what wellbeing means – and discovered that the group was able to welcome each other in over 35 different languages.
GP away day retreat at Sheepdrove – a calm day of coaching for a dozen people based creative activities and time spent outdoors. We recieved some lovely feedback – including the best I could hope for: “we would like this to become a regular feature on our programme – please can we book this again for next year?”. So, it’s already re-booked for next July!
And a “pop-up” outdoor lunchtime wellbeing session for staff at Great Western Hospital – more than a dozen staff attended. We enjoyed some simple mindfulness and “how to make the most of your tiny breaks” time.
And last week we hosted a wonderful Outdoor 1 day retreat at Hungerford Park on a beautiful sunny day in the walled garden. We invited some welcome headspace for a group of busy women to reset and identify self care priorities in a supportive space. We identified our challenges, enjoyed engaging our senses in the flower garden, practiced some mindfulness and affirmations. By popular demand we have set a new date: booking opens shortly for the 3rd October 2025.
Other personal triumphs have been:
- sticking to my personal pact of drawing or painting something at least 4 times per week for the whole of July (sometimes it is just a few minutes sketching a leaf or doodling!)
- 5 minutes of yoga/ stretching every morning
- walking (+/or running) for >15 minutes every day (we have a dog so this is made easy by the big brown eyes…)
- successfully (and without injury!) hosting a Birthday party at home for group of 9 and 10 year old girls,
- all 3 kids making it to the end of term in one piece, and
- surviving (shared with my husband) the inevitable taxi service duties that having 3 children with active sports commitments entails at this time of year.
My ‘go to’ summer reset pause:
Try it now if you like (if possible outdoors, but anywhere safe will work):
- Sit or stand with a relaxed but upright posture.
- Take a deep breath in and out.
- Look around and name 4 or 5 things you can see (especially natural elements).
- Listen for 3 or 4 things you can hear — near or far.
- Notice what you can feel — on your skin, in your body, or where your feet meet the ground.
- Focus on your breath — the air moving in and out.
- Turn your attention back to your space, and gently ask:
How do I want to meet the next moment?
Journal prompt to try:
Take a pen and paper and ask yourself:
“What small thing could I do that would make today easier?”
If nothing comes to mind, try writing:
“I’m not sure, but… perhaps I could…”
Even a tiny shift in awareness can bring meaningful change.
And, Dates for your diary:
15-18th September – 4 day residential retreat for Doctors – suitable for study leave – CPD accredited with CPDUK – Sheepdrove, Berkshire – ***BOOK NOW for early bird discount***
3rd October – 1 day outdoor retreat near Hungerford (suitable for anyone who wishes they spent more time outdoors). Hungerford Park Walled Garden. £125 per person (max 8 people)
10th October – 1 day recharge retreat for Healthcare professionals – (limited spaces available) – West Oxfordshire, £175 per person
More will be appearing on the website over the coming few weeks… keep tuned!
I hope that summer brings whatever you need it to.
All the very best and beyond… from Jo
