I’ve always been a ‘collector’.  Even when I was wee, I used to hoard  random items, shoring them up for a time when the world ran out.  There’s   safety in surplus.  My brain (and life) may be a mess, but those stacks  promise security, stability and solace. According to Paul Salkovskis, (professor of clinical psychology at Bath Uni), there are three categories of hoarder: 1. OCD hoarding. A quarter of hoarders fall into this group : they fear things could be contaminated and worry about contaminating others if ... Read More

I like to think of myself as a bit of a ‘kooky’ believer.  A little too edgy for Church. Zany! A bit of a rebel – and way too cool for that dogma stuff. Not for me the mainstream precepts.  Get this – I listen to non-Christian bands.  Doctrine? That’s ole’ school, man.  Get with the beat, baggy. Doctrine’s for sad old has-beens. Of course, this is nonsense.  For starters, I’m as edgy as my Dad’s golf socks.  It’s tempting to think I can straddle the divide between secular and ... Read More

I don’t know about you, but I’m a natural Eeyore. My glass is often half-empty – even when there’s plenty of drinking left. Tiggers – (like my husband), leave me dizzy and bewildered.  All that joy and bounce – there’s simply no need. Yet all too often, I’ll use my natural disposition as an excuse: justification for acting lumpy.   The thoughts go like this: I’m a melancholy person – not just a misery-guts.  I’m over-burdened: not over-committed.  I’m depressed, rather ... Read More

I was reading an interview yesterday with Susan Boyle, (the singer who won X Factor and was catapulted from ordinary life to worldwide celebrity).  Understandably, Boyle struggled to cope with this transition and her mental health was gleefully discussed and dissected in the media. But more than the time she spent in therapy, I was struck by a phrase she’d learned from her mum: and one that I learned from mine too. ‘Baby steps’. ‘Baby steps’ means a number of things.  Firstly,  take it a little bit at a time. ... Read More

It’s been a dumpling of a week: one of those swampy, lumpy January bogs that feels like swimming through porridge. Things to do, but no poop for doing ‘em. A series of ever-decreasing circles: grey routines and baggy pants. But that’s quite enough wallowing.  Truth be told, my little rut’s gotten too cosy – time to strap on a rocket and blast out! Here’s The Plan: 1. get the Bible open.  So far I’ve been dipping my toe in a couple of devotionals/sermons (and they’re great), but not enough. ... Read More

Received wisdom tells us that hearing voices is the first sign of madness.  This is nonsense.  Everyone hears voices – families, friends, exes, coaches, bullies … they all play a part in making up  our  consciousness or ‘inner voice’. You may be more or less aware of your own voice – but whether it shouts or whispers, it tells us who we are and these beliefs then determine our choices. Take a second to listen to it.  What’s its tone?  Indulgent?  Critical?  Affirming?  Disappointed? Perhaps it sounds like someone you know: ... Read More

So you’ve had one of those catsickonthekitchenfloor/toddler meltdown/bumped into the ex wearing curry-stained trackies/missed deadline/I’m a piece of crap days.  You’re trying not to cry. Whatever your fix, what’s going to stop you self-harming and turning to destructive patterns of behaviour? Number One.  A prayer flare.  Like literally, ‘help Lord’. Number Two, A phone call to a friend. Talk about how you’re feeling. Number Three. A cup of tea. Preferably with sugar. Number Four: some self-talk. Here’s some ... Read More

Q: What am I feeding my mind? Does it matter? On the one hand, yes. Theoretically, of course it matters. ‘Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think upon such things..yadayadayada.’ Yep, got it. A mental smorgasbord of puppies, Little House on the Prairie and Power Ballads Volume Three*. *All product placement requests happily endorsed for a small fee or extra starbucks points In practice however, I reckon I’m immune to the mice and moths that nibble away at other people’s ... Read More