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!

27/05/2026

I’ve been immersing my senses in this wisteria every time I pass it. The scent is so powerful and the soft colours, shape and texture of the flowers have given me something to gaze at.

What a burst of joy and beauty.

Don’t forget to slow down and notice the natural gifts scattered in your neighbourhood.

It's hard to believe we're only a few weeks away from the summer solstice. It's prompted me to reflect back.Just before ...
26/05/2026

It's hard to believe we're only a few weeks away from the summer solstice. It's prompted me to reflect back.

Just before winter solstice I had a fully booked solstice focused midlife circle. I was really looking forward to this celebration but the night before I started to feel unwell; fatigue, headache, dizziness, feverish. I'd had this before and it often passed with a good night of sleep.

This time though it didn't. I felt terrible when I woke up and knew there was no way I could run midlife circle. My body was giving me a clear sign and there was no option to push through. So, I very reluctantly cancelled the event. And then I crashed.

I knew that taking the Christmas break off wouldn't be enough and with a nudge from my wonderful physio, I decided to take January off and pause holding midlife circle and nature circle.

All the support I had been giving to my eldest had taken a huge toll and it was escalating. So one month off has turned into five months and it has passed in a blur of appointments, meltdowns, advocacy, emails, meetings, and a crystal clear clarity that the current education system does not meet the needs of neurodivergent children.

It's been intense and continues to be. But I write this as I slowly start to emerge with a little more energy to think about other things too. I’m tentatively setting out plans to start running midlife circle and nature circle again after the summer solstice and The Light Retreat will be back in November.

My role for many years, as a complementary therapist and now as a circle facilitator, forest bathing guide and mental health first aider, is to remind people (well mainly women) to slow down, to say no to things, to listen their bodies.

This was my time to be reminded of that. None of us are immune to suffering poor physical or mental health. Thankfully I had people to tell me it was ok, in fact essential, to stop and get help. So take my story as a gentle reminder to you that asking for help and sharing your struggles is ok.

I'm looking forward to offering space again v soon where I use connection, creativity, mindfulness and nature to support you and your wellbeing. Because we all need that.

In amongst it all, remember to slow down enough to notice the small things. It’s ok not to be going full pelt all the ti...
22/05/2026

In amongst it all, remember to slow down enough to notice the small things.

It’s ok not to be going full pelt all the time. It’s ok to stop. It’s ok to put it all down for a while.

I’ve been noticing the small things this week. This is one of my go to tools for reducing anxiety and stress.Mindful tim...
15/05/2026

I’ve been noticing the small things this week. This is one of my go to tools for reducing anxiety and stress.

Mindful time in nature is great for quieting our minds. Spending time noticing allows us to shift our focus and provides respite from busy thoughts and worries.

I’ve been observing this peony over the past few days. I love watching plants and flowers unfurl or blossom. Slowly does it. I’ll keep you posted on its progress.

On Saturday I attended a showing of the People’s Emergency Briefing on Climate & Nature organised by It was a stark wat...
12/05/2026

On Saturday I attended a showing of the People’s Emergency Briefing on Climate & Nature organised by It was a stark watch and I was left feeling a mixture of fear, dread, anger and hope.

Seeing the data and statistics on screen and hearing from a range of experts made for uncomfortable viewing. But the most hopeful and similarly frustrating thing for me is that there are solutions out there that could make a massive difference to how the climate crisis will play out. And yet they aren’t being taken up.

The answers to “why not” are too numerous for this post but watching the briefing has galvanised me to keep going.

As someone who works in and with nature, who sees first hand the benefits of nature on our wellbeing and who encourages others to connect with themselves through nature, it is impossible not to want to take action to protect our planet.

As a parent it is also impossible to not want to fight to make the planet as liveable and safe for my two children as they grow up.

All of which means I had to watch this briefing and I would urge you to do the same. The temptation to keep our heads in the sand is strong but only by facing up to the situation and working together will we have a chance to make a difference.

It is overwhelming and yet is it too important to ignore. I’ve spoken before about joining and I would really encourage you to join or find another organisation that is a good fit for you.

And if you are a parent or carer local to York please do consider joining . You don’t need special skills for this, you just need to care.

You will find a supportive group who are trying to make some positive changes and who will hold space for your wellbeing too. None of this is easy but it is infinitely better to navigate it together 💚

Please do get in touch if you have any questions about this. There are showings all over the country and more in York, including the 19th June at 8pm at Clements Hall.

If you’ve already seen the briefing let me know how it landed with you.

The most beautiful hand painted cards arrived last week and with them a reminder that not fitting into boxes and systems...
10/05/2026

The most beautiful hand painted cards arrived last week and with them a reminder that not fitting into boxes and systems doesn’t make us any less of creative, beautiful humans.

I read Unschooled by just before things with my eldest and school quietly hit the ground.

The book made me feel frustrated, angry and sad as I could identity with much of what is written on the pages even if our stories are different.

These gorgeous cards were made by one of Caro’s daughters who has been painting them to raise funds for

It’s funny how books come into your life at the right moment. The same happened with Twelve Moons which was much needed when I read it a few years ago.

I highly recommend both books and love these cards too. There’s a lot I don’t like about social media but connecting to people who are going through similar things can be such a gift ❤️

It’s a new month, a full moon and Beltane so it seems a good time to share an update and show my face! My winter hiberna...
01/05/2026

It’s a new month, a full moon and Beltane so it seems a good time to share an update and show my face!

My winter hibernation has stretched into Spring and if you’ve been around for a while you will have noticed I haven’t been running my usual sessions.

This year was my time to create more circles and offer nature bathing sessions after gaining my Forest Bathing guide qualification in September. However life, as it often does, had other plans.

I always intended to run my business around the needs of my children and it turns out they have a lot more needs than I thought.

And so my circle work and nature connection sessions have paused as my parenting role has tipped over into a caring role. There have been many lessons along the way and I’ve found myself holding space in new ways.

I’ve also found my voice as an advocate, it hasn’t been easy but it has allowed me to challenge some of the stories I’ve held about myself for a long time. I’m sure this will continue to come in useful.

Things are shifting and I’m quietly optimistic that I’ll be able to get back to running nature circle, midlife circle and start some new nature connection sessions too.

Until then I’ll keep sharing nature bathing tips, and offer you regular reminders that slowing down and noticing is essential for your wellbeing and for connection.

If you have any questions about my work please do get in touch or take a look at my pinned posts.

23/04/2026

Nature bathing under the blossom tree.

On Tuesday this tree caught my eye and I couldn’t help but step underneath it. It was magical and yet no one else seemed to even be noticing it. Too busy or too distracted. (I know those feelings)

However by stepping off the pavement and immersing myself in the blossom I forgot about my to do list and the state of the worlds and quietened my mind.

This is the beauty of nature bathing. It provides a break from busy minds, anxious feelings and tense bodies.

Anyone can nature bath or forest bath, it doesn’t require special skills. It just requires you to give yourself permission to do it.

That is one of my main roles as a forest bathing guide. Helping you to make space to slow down and tune into your senses so that you can reap the benefits of spending mindful time in nature.

For more information about future forest bathing sessions please follow my account or message me with your email and I’ll add you to my mailing list.

I love the blossom. It cheers me up no end. Today at nature writing for wellbeing we spent time observing and celebratin...
17/04/2026

I love the blossom. It cheers me up no end. Today at nature writing for wellbeing we spent time observing and celebrating the blossom in the orchard area of the park. We did our own bit of singing to the blossom (a late wassail if you like).

Then we wandered off under the trees. I noticed how the blossom on one tree was in different stages. Some in full bloom, some only just opening and some still firmly closed. A reminder that everything, even the blossom, blossoms in it’s own time.

I wrote this for the blossom:

Dearest blossom
Thank you for the joy you instil in us.
Appearing after the long winter to bring us hope.
Reminding us that the seasons come and go.

Dearest blossom
My wish for you is to be brave.
Be bold.
Hold strong through the storms of the season.
May you feel relief when the time is right to let go.

I highly recommend getting out and observing the blossom this weekend if you can. Soak up the colours and the scent. Notice it all and enjoy 💚

Thanks for the session today

Stumbled across the most beautiful exhibition at Nunnington Hall on Saturday; Wild Woven. “Native hedgerows are a defini...
13/04/2026

Stumbled across the most beautiful exhibition at Nunnington Hall on Saturday; Wild Woven.

“Native hedgerows are a defining feature of the UK countryside, composed of a rich tapestry of shrubs and trees that have evolved alongside local wildlife.”

There were some stunning textile pieces on show by reflecting on the importance of hedgerows to our ecosystem.

What a treat.

I also spotted some of the tallest snowdrops I’ve ever seen.

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