Debbie Thurlow-Circle Holder & Nature Bathing Guide

Debbie Thurlow-Circle Holder & Nature Bathing Guide Like many of us, I’ve always wanted to make a difference to people’s lives. Much as I love my boys deeply, motherhood at times was bewildering and overwhelming.

⭕️ Certified circle holder
💚Mental health first aider
🌳 Forest bathing guide+
❤️ Mother
✨Helping women in midlife to slow down, find freedom and reconnect through circle work & nature immersion ✨ I used to be a Social Worker, which was often hugely rewarding, but I became disillusioned by spending more time in front of a computer screen than with my clients. I dropped to part-time hours and stud

ied Holistic Massage so I could help people directly. After having children I took time away from paid work to focus on them – and this is where I truly discovered the power of massage. A monthly massage treatment became the cornerstone of my self-care, once I’d convinced myself I wasn’t being selfish or overly indulgent in taking this small slice of time for myself. I have experienced first-hand the power of massage and reflexology in restoring calm and balance when life is full-on. And I believed in it so much I went back to college to learn more and train as a complementary therapist. Now I wish everyone could experience the deep care a massage or reflexology treatment offers. I think the world would be a kinder, more peaceful place if we all took this time for ourselves. I love helping other women create that small space in their lives, let themselves be cared for, for once, and leave feeling lighter, freer and more relaxed. To discuss how you can introduce more self-care and relaxation into your busy life, just contact me. All questions welcome!

A quiet evening walk in West Cumbria and suddenly the first whispers of Autumn are in the air. These transition days fro...
31/08/2026

A quiet evening walk in West Cumbria and suddenly the first whispers of Autumn are in the air.

These transition days from late, late summer to early Autumn are some of my favourite times. Ripened blackberries, apples starting to drop, shorter days and a shift in the light.

I know however that the end of summer can feel difficult for some people and maybe more so with the current backdrop of a scary and unstable wider world playing out.

Perhaps a time to practice noticing the small things? It is one of my most used and simple meditation tools.

There are three steps to it:
1. Go outside
2. Slow down
3. Notice the small things nature offers up

Give it a go and see what happens 💚

Because of the building work at home I’m going out the front way everyday. There is a bramble just to the left of my fro...
24/08/2026

Because of the building work at home I’m going out the front way everyday. There is a bramble just to the left of my front door and as the blackberries have ripened I have picked one almost everytime I walk past.

It has given me such joy. A slightly different taste with each berry picked; sweet, slightly sour, super sweet and on occasion eye wateringly bitter.

It has been the perfect mindful moment in nature. Not thinking of anything other than picking, eating and savouring the colour, texture and then taste of each blackberry.

It’s also made a refreshing change to choose a simple pleasure over making more work for myself by thinking “I should make a crumble or jam”.

However you choose to enjoy the blackberries this year I hope they bring you joy. I’ll leave you with my lessons from the blackberries:

Enjoy them in the moment.

They don’t always have to be made into something else.

Sometimes it’s best to eat them as you walk down the garden path before they disappear.

20/08/2026

My August quest to reconnect with my own forest bathing practice continued when I was in Wales. I found a gorgeous spot next to a lake which meant I had the added benefits of water too.

This time I made myself comfortable by sitting against the tree trunk. I then:

-Noticed the blue sky through the leaves
-Watched the branches swaying
-Listened to the water lapping against the stony shore
-Observed the ripples of the waves

I also got up close to the trunk by:

-Tracing patterns on the bark with my fingertips
-Noticing the contrasting textures
-Feeling the softness of the moss
-Smelling the bark

Forest or nature bathing invites you to tune into all your senses. Doing so allows you to fully immerse yourself in what nature offers us.

There are almost endless ways to connect with the moment when you are in nature. Using touch, vision, smell, hearing and sometimes taste too, enables you to gain so many benefits. [more about that soon]

I started this mini self guided session feeling frazzled and ended it feeling much calmer, more grounded and with a quieter mind.

The joy of riding my bike again. I got a puncture about 4 months ago. When it happened I knew I needed to take it straig...
17/08/2026

The joy of riding my bike again.

I got a puncture about 4 months ago. When it happened I knew I needed to take it straight to the bike shop otherwise the risk of not getting it sorted was v high. I did not do this.

It then became a thing.

My ADHD brain is great at allowing a small task mutate into a huge, insurmountable one.. Despite walking past my bike for weeks and weeks I still couldn’t take it to the bike shop. My bike became a sculpture in the front garden and I started to live a bike less life.

Two weeks ago I finally made it through the door of the bike shop and booked it in for a service. And after dropping it off this morning I now have my bike back looking and riding better than ever!

In the past I would have berated myself about this. Now, with a new understanding of how my brain works I’m able to let it go and show myself some compassion.

I am very pleased to have my bike back though!

My neurodivergence has shaped my life in ways I didn’t realise. Needless to say it has also influenced how I run my sessions. Who’d had thought it eh.

When I say you’re welcome as you are I really do mean it. And I will try and make you feel as comfortable as possible when we work together.

After four days by a lake surrounded by trees and mountain views I felt the need to ease myself back into usual life. Es...
16/08/2026

After four days by a lake surrounded by trees and mountain views I felt the need to ease myself back into usual life. Especially as there were lots of challenges thrown into the mix too whilst I was away.

I’m lucky enough to call Gillian Shippey a very good friend of mine and today I got to experience one of her wonderful restorative story telling yoga sessions.

I was desperate for some quiet time to myself and got that and much more. It was so nourishing to be told a story whilst resting and relaxing.

This is a snap of Gillian after the session and it captures some of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes in order to hold space for others.

Today I was so grateful to be on the receiving end of a truly special session and to have space held for me. It was so soothing and relaxing that I fell asleep.

Another reminder that in order to keep looking after others I 100% need to keep looking myself. Perhaps you need that gentle reminder too as you get ready for the week ahead.

If you’ve never been to one of Gillian’s classes I highly recommend them. Gillian has just started teaching at Pool Bridge Farm as well as continuing with her other local classes in York, residential retreats and regular online classes.

Absolutely check her out. ❤️

There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at Debbie Thurlow Circle Holder and Forest Bathing + guide🍃 Re- building my web...
10/08/2026

There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at Debbie Thurlow Circle Holder and Forest Bathing + guide

🍃 Re- building my website

🍃 Looking for a new venue for midLife circle

🍃Researching possible areas to run some forest bathing sessions

🌱 Working on logistics to restart a regular nature circle

🌱 Planning for the next residential retreat that I’m co-hosting with Gayle Johnson in November (3 places remaining if you’re interested in coming!)

There also continues to be a lot going on in the family/ home realm including supporting my eldest and entering month no 5 of some much needed, but quite disruptive, renovations to our house.

So in the midst of all that it’s time to escape. I’d love to say I’m taking a total break but in reality I’m not because a fair few of the challenges are coming with me.

However I’m very fortunate that I’m in a beautiful place with more support than usual so I am definitely hoping to get some time out.

On my schedule for the next few days is swimming, walking, looking at mountains and hills, going for a sauna, nature bathing, journaling and having lots of cuddles with my therapy dog: aka Shanti, my sister’s adopted cockapoo.

I hope you too can find some nourishment and time out in amongst the busyness of life.

See you next week 💚

My quest to spend August reconnecting with my own forest bathing practice got off to strong start under one of my favour...
06/08/2026

My quest to spend August reconnecting with my own forest bathing practice got off to strong start under one of my favourite oak trees.

This is how it went:

Said hello to the tree

Touched the trunk with my hands

Remembered to breathe in and out slowly

Felt the different textures of the bark

Got up close and smelt the bark

Put down my blanket

Lay down

Looked up

Checked in on my breathing

Gazed at the blue sky through the branches

Noticed the light reflected on the leaves

Observed the branches swaying in the breeze

Felt the gentle breeze on my face and arms

Listened to the birdsong

Noticed how the leaves looked lighter or darker depending on where the sun fell on them

Closed my eyes and noticed my breathing

That’s it.

I always say at the start of my sessions that we all have the ability to forest bathe. It isn’t a special or secret skill. The clue is in my job title I guess. “Forest bathing guide”: I guide you to slow down, notice and reconnect.

One of the many things I love about forest bathing is the simplicity of it. It is so readily available to us and no special equipment is required. You only really need time and to give yourself permission.

For information about future guided nature bathing sessions in and around York please follow my page, DM me or email me [email protected]

The arrival of a new month always feels like a clean page or a chance to reset. All those days stretching out ahead full...
01/08/2026

The arrival of a new month always feels like a clean page or a chance to reset. All those days stretching out ahead full of possibility.

Because I’m in a phase where so much of everyday life is out of my control I’m quietly determined to carve out some steadiness and ease where I can.

One sure way to achieve that is under the trees and so I’m setting myself a gentle challenge to use the next 31 days to reconnect with my own forest bathing practice. I’ll keep you posted on what unfolds…

In the meantime I very much hope August brings you a whole heap of possibilities to explore and ponder on.

Did you notice the full moon on Wednesday? It seemed to rise out of nowhere and was absolutely stunning.Last night it st...
31/07/2026

Did you notice the full moon on Wednesday? It seemed to rise out of nowhere and was absolutely stunning.

Last night it still felt super charged and kept me awake.

I don’t remember when exactly I started to really take notice of the moon but it feels so ingrained in my life. Perhaps now that my menstrual cycle is pretty much non existent I feel more drawn to the moon phases as a way to keep hold of cyclical rhythm.

Or maybe it’s because life can feel so fast paced and unpredictable that I feel comforted by the reliable presence of the moon.

Whatever the reason I’m so grateful I get chance to notice. And I’m especially grateful that I can do so through my bedroom window.

I have to admit that the decision to get building work done rather than move house was largely based on the fact that I can lie on my bed and moon gaze. 🌕

If you haven’t spotted the moon so far this week I encourage you to go out and have a look tonight.

As the second week of the school holidays rolls on I’m checking in with myself. Despite my best intentions I haven’t mad...
29/07/2026

As the second week of the school holidays rolls on I’m checking in with myself.

Despite my best intentions I haven’t made it out for a morning walk every day. Some days I have been too tired or one of my kids has needed me or I had to get something else done before my kids got up.

I am not one of those people that can seemingly, easily “just get up an hour earlier” and so I have loosened the grip of my own expectations.

A reminder then, that at times our intentions don’t work out. It doesn’t mean we’ve failed it just means that life, family, work, health can get in the way. The most important thing is to notice and adapt when you can.

If you’re currently navigating the school holidays, or the heat or anything else that is challenging you right now, go gently. Lower your expectations as needed. Be as generous to yourself as you would a friend.

I might not be getting out every morning for a walk but am spending some time each day out in nature. Even if that’s just my front garden.

And that’s where I spotted this busy bee today. What a treat 💚

I hope this post gives you permission to be a bit kinder to yourself today. That’s what I’m trying to do.

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York

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