Aurelie - Reconnected Self

04/12/2025

02/12/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

We all get triggered, but the intensity of our reaction can often seem far greater than the current situation warrants.

Here is an example: A friend or partner cancels plans at the last minute. Even though they may have a valid reason, you might feel an intense wave of emotions, like the floor opening beneath your feet. Your heart races, your chest tightens, and a sense of dread washes over you. You feel distressed and rejected.

Your mind starts racing: Did they make it up? Maybe they don’t like me. You replay all the conversations in your head, trying to figure out what went wrong.

When life happens, it’s completely understandable to feel disappointed or sad in the moment.

But for some of us, the bodily reaction is much bigger than the situation itself; it may feel overwhelming, intense, or out of proportion, yet it is very real for you.

This is because 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. These memories are stored and recalled below our level of awareness.

These memories hold the imprint of past stressful or emotionally significant events in the forms of bodily sensations, images, patterns of behaviours, and beliefs.

The body detects cues from these past experiences and signals the brain before the rational mind can catch up, triggering strong emotional and physiological responses.

Talking through the current situation is often a helpful first step, but it’s usually not enough to address these triggers.

This is why working with the body is at the heart of my practice; it’s where true change begins.

The body serves as a direct access point to implicit memories.
Through the body, we can explore these patterns, update them with new meaning, and prevent them from hijacking your nervous system.

The body also offers pathways to find relief in the moment through breathing, connection, movement etc.

This helps you respond with choice rather than react on autopilot.

Take a moment to notice: how is your body showing you what’s still unresolved?

24/11/2025

Research suggests 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟔,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐲, and many of them are the same ones on repeat.

If those thoughts are rooted in self-criticism, shame, or constant “shoulds,” imagine what that does to your energy, mood, and sense of well-being.

Over time, these repetitive thoughts can drain your vitality, tighten your body, and lower your emotional resilience.

The thing is, 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲.

Most of our thoughts are 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝, influenced by our attachment relationships, cultural and societal messages. These bonds we formed with caregivers during childhood created schemas for how safe it feels to be seen, loved, and accepted and whether we felt we could rely on others to be there for us.

On top of that, much of our reality is filtered through thinking errors, also called cognitive distortions. We might:

🔹𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞: “Nobody likes me.”

🔹𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: “I got a compliment, but they didn’t mean it.”

🔹𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐨𝐫-𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: “I can never do anything right.”

🔹𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: “This will go wrong, I just know it.”

The problem is, we take these thoughts as truth, we believe the voice… and we start living our lives according to it.
And that’s when they turn into self-fulfilling prophecies.

👉 For example:
If you think “no one likes me,” you might unconsciously send cues of mistrust, withdraw, or act overly careful. Others pick up on that energy, pull away—and suddenly your old belief feels confirmed. “See? I was right.”

But 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡. It’s an old story replaying itself.

These thoughts are intimately connected to how we feel. They trigger low mood, anxiety, and crush our confidence.

Even though I work primarily somatically, we take time to recognise these patterns so you can begin to take charge of them.

Because truly supporting nervous system regulation requires working with 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝—not just one or the other. This is the basis of integrative work.

✨ If you are looking at taking steps to manage stress and overwhelm, here’s a gentle first step:
For one week, carry a journal with you.
Pay attention to your inner dialogue and write down what it says.
At the end of the week, look for recurring themes or patterns. They’ll often point you to your core beliefs.

All meaningful change starts with self-awareness.

P.S: Did this practice highlight anything for you? Share your experience in the comments.

22/09/2025

It’s been a little while since I’ve shared here. Between my studies, clients, and life, being online hasn’t been my priority. I think I’ve also been sitting with my love–hate relationship with social media.

While I appreciate that social media gives us a space to share, I often wonder about the integrity behind it.

Social media platforms use algorithms designed to keep us scrolling as long as possible. They rely on psychological principles like variable rewards, similar to gambling, where sometimes you get something exciting and sometimes not, and the dopamine hits from likes, comments, or new content.

The algorithm also prioritises engagement over accuracy or nuance, so content that provokes strong emotions, anger, fear, outrage, or even extreme joy, tends to get boosted because it keeps us interacting longer.

Our nervous system isn’t built for this constant stimulation. Studies, including meta-analyses, show frequent social media use is linked to higher levels of anxiety, stress, depression, and loneliness.

Social media filters reality and tends to paint it black and white, encourage us to generalise, and amplifies our cognitive distortions.

I see this in my clients too. Some feel weighed down by negativity online, which directly contributes to how they see themselves and the world, and adds to their existing stresses.

Personally, I’ve removed the app from my phone to reduce temptation. I’m also curious about new platforms and open to any suggestions that could serve my clients or myself.

In the meantime, if you feel overwhelmed or triggered, if your body goes into fight/flight, or you feel that inner rush of stress every time you go online, it’s okay to protect yourself. Step back. Add filters. Choose what you want to see and what you don’t.

I also believe that 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀.

Focusing on what we want to see, sending positive energy, holding hopeful thoughts, and visualising the change we want, doesn’t just nourish our own wellbeing, it helps anchor those realities for the planet too.

Take a moment today to notice what’s feeding your mind and heart, and give your energy to what truly matters.

03/06/2025

I need your help 🌱.

I’m offering a free counselling session to someone who is struggling with feelings of grief or loss and would like some gentle support.

This session is part of a case study for my Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and will only be seen by my clinical supervisor, who is bound by strict confidentiality just like me.

👉Here are some examples of areas we could explore together:

• The loss of a loved one

• The loss of your single identity after getting married

• Adjusting to life after having children

• The adjustment and sense of loss when children leave home

• Moving out of your family home

• Relocating or emigrating — leaving your country or starting fresh somewhere new

• The quiet grief that comes with growing up and changing roles.

The focus will be on you feeling truly heard, finding clarity, and experiencing emotional safety.

I have been working as a therapist for over 7 years and am fully insured — this is not my first time holding space, but part of professional development.

🌱Session details:
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Consent form signing required before the session
Session will be recorded on Zoom for supervision only
Full confidentiality is strictly maintained
New client only

If this feels like something you need right now, or you know someone who could benefit, please reach out.

Feel free to pass this message along to anyone who might find it helpful.

26/05/2025

𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞.
Have you noticed how quickly we shut down our inner nudges or desires?

With the days getting shorter, I thought:
''I can’t really run after work anymore—it’s too dark now.''
Just like that, I was ready to write it off.

Then one evening, I had actually planned to go earlier. But life had other plans.
My partner got stuck in traffic, so I had to do the last-minute OSHC pickup.
By the time we got home, it was already dark.

Something in me really needed that movement that day.
So I went anyway.

And you know what?
𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞. I just had to adjust where to go.

I will definitely do it again. 💪✨

If I hadn’t challenged my limiting belief, I would have closed that opportunity for myself.

This may be a very small example, but we do this all the time—often without even realising it.

Sometimes our biggest limits exist only in our minds—
in the rules we set, the expectations we carry, and the fears we tell ourselves.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭.🎯

When we learn to notice them—and gently question them—we open the door to new possibilities and freedom.

Neuroscience shows that our brains are neuroplastic — they can change and rewire throughout our lives. 🧠✨

Our beliefs reshape most effectively through:
• 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 — when new experiences challenge and contradict old beliefs.
• 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 — consistently practicing new thoughts or behaviors to strengthen new neural pathways.
• 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 — actively engaging in behaviours that reinforce new beliefs and create lasting change.

So, ask yourself:
Where did you feel that inner nudge today — but told yourself you couldn’t do it?
What excuse did you give yourself?

👉Comment “𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖” below and I’ll send you my 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 Worksheet to help you get unstuck and create new, empowering narratives. 📄✨

20/05/2025

𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝.
It's the negative self-talk
The "not good enough"
The overthinking — because you're afraid to say the wrong thing.
The comparison that leaves you feeling behind.
The urge to prove your worth through doing, pleasing, or perfecting.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲.
In the heaviness on your chest.
The knot in your stomach.
Your shoulders that curl inward to protect you.
The racing heart when you're asked to be visible.
The nervous system that can never fully relax or shuts down.
The eyes that avoid contact.

Maybe you don't lash out. You disappear.
You freeze, people-please, or become invisible.
Not because you want to — but because somewhere along the way, your body learned that shrinking was safer than shining.

🌀 That’s why this isn’t just a mindset issue.
It’s a full-body, nervous system response.

And that means healing must be holistic — Not just talk. Not just thoughts. But body, emotions, breath, and deeper safety.

✨ Try this gentle check-in:
“Where in my body do I feel this sense of low self-worth right now?”
Don’t force an answer — just notice.
It might be a tight chest, a flutter in the stomach, a heaviness in your shoulders.
Simply breathe gently into that place.
No need to change anything — just be with it.
This small act of presence starts the healing.

P.S: If you’re ready to feel whole again, schedule your free 30-min call to begin your journey. DM me today.

15/05/2025

Low self-worth doesn’t always show up as obvious insecurity.

Sometimes it disguises itself as:

– Overfunctioning because you are never truly where you need to be.

– Overgiving to make sure you’re liked.

– Minimising your needs so you’re not a burden.

– Receiving praise but not being able to truly feel it.

– Tolerating poor treatment because you don’t believe you deserve better.

- Clinging to a job title, role, or material things because without them - who are you?

We’re often not aware of the patterns at play.
Sometimes, what looks like strength is actually an inner wound dressed up in effort or toxic relationships.

It’s not just about noticing or treating the behaviours…
It’s about understanding what’s driving them.

Lasting changes happen when we stop treating the symptoms and start addressing the roots.

P.S: If you're ready to explore what’s beneath the patterns and reconnect with your true self…

Let's connect. Schedule your free 30-minute discovery call.

06/05/2025

For anyone who needs to hear this today:

Out of all the infinite possibilities, you are here.
Not by accident. Not by mistake.
Existence itself deemed you necessary.

Creation doesn’t make mistakes.
The simple fact that you exist means you are worthy.

You don’t need to prove it.
You don’t need to earn it.

All you need is to become aware that this is already who you are.

01/05/2025

Sometimes, it’s hard to explain.

You’re doing all the right things—getting by, fulfilling responsibilities, ticking things off your to-do list—but there’s this quiet, nagging feeling that you’re not really living your life. It’s like something just doesn’t line up, and you can’t quite put your finger on what’s wrong.

|It's like you lost your spark.

The things you used to enjoy—the small moments that once lit you up—now feel like a weight.

You’re slowly starting to feel numb, disconnected from the very parts of yourself that used to feel alive.

Often, our first instinct is to escape the discomfort as quickly as possible.

We convince ourselves that the answer lies in trying harder, doing more, achieving the next thing… losing weight, fixing ourselves, being better.

If we can just hold it together a little longer, maybe it’ll all start to feel right again.

Here’s the thing—

|These feelings, big or small, are clues.

They’re not just random moments of discomfort. They’re a sign that something is out of balance. And though it might feel overwhelming, acknowledging them is the first step toward reconnecting with yourself and figuring out what needs to shift.

Rather than rushing to fix it or push through, consider this moment of discomfort as an invitation to stop and listen. This discomfort is not something to escape or fear. In fact, it’s your body’s way of telling you that you’re at a crossroads, ready for something new.

I often describe this period to my clients as the in-between.

It’s the space where the old is starting to fade away, but the new hasn’t quite formed yet.

That uncertainty can be frustrating, even painful.

But this in-between isn’t a failure to move forward. It’s a transition. A necessary pause. A time of internal recalibration that prepares you for the next version of yourself.

In my experience working with women and men who’ve reached this stage, it’s rarely about making a dramatic change or overhauling your entire life.

(Unless there’s a persistent pull toward something new, like a creative project or different path.)

It’s more often about how you’ve been living.

The pace. The pressure.

The roles you’ve taken on that leave little to no room for your authentic desires and aspirations to flourish.

Most importantly, it’s a gentle nudge from your true self, reminding you that you’re not living in full alignment — and that something within you is ready to shift.

Not because you’ve failed or done something wrong, but because you’re growing.

So, where to go from here?

The first thing I invite you to do is to slow down. Pause. Give yourself a time-out from the noise and the doing.

Start paying closer attention to your inner whisper.

What are you yearning for?

What are you not fully admitting to yourself?

What roles, habits, or patterns have quietly worn you down?

Notice your energy —

When do you feel most drained?

When do you feel most alive?

What’s been sitting under the surface, quietly asking for your attention?

These aren’t just passing emotions — they’re gentle signals from within.

And remember —

You don’t have to have all the answers right away.

P.S: If you’re feeling unsure, that’s okay.

That’s exactly where my work can support you.

I specialise in helping you reconnect with your spark and sense of purpose — especially during life transitions or when things feel unclear, heavy, or out of sync.

Together, we create space to slow down, tune in to your inner voice, and gently uncover what’s been buried beneath the surface.

It’s not about fixing yourself — it’s about remembering who you are.

29/04/2025

Ever feel like parts of you are pulling you in different directions?

One part is yearning for rest or connection, but another is gripped by the need to control, afraid that any pause or vulnerability may lead to chaos?

This is the dance of your inner world. Each with its own story, fears and wisdom.

The problem is that when these parts stay unseen and unheard, they end up driving your life from behind the scenes — leaving you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or at war with yourself.

At Reconnected Self, we love experiential modalities because they let you see, feel, and connect with what’s truly holding you back. That is way more powerful than being told what is going on.

One of my key approaches is Internal Family Systems (IFS), a gentle yet profound method that helps you connect with your inner parts, understand their roles, and begin to untangle the inner battles that keep you stuck.

This deep work doesn’t just shift your emotional landscape — it often reveals the metaphysical roots behind physical signs and symptoms.

For example, it may illuminate why your body holds onto weight despite effort, or what emotional burdens may be linked to chronic fatigue or autoimmune issues.

IFS isn’t just soulful and intuitive — it’s also backed by growing clinical research and neuroscience. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS has shown strong results in reducing anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, and even chronic pain.

Bringing back harmony within yourself not only means freedom to focus on what is truly important for you and showing up more authentically, but also the ability to support your body heal.

Which part of you is desperate for your attention right now?