Month: October 2025

Over the years, we have had the privilege of sitting with people through some of their most vulnerable moments – heartbreak, confusion, grief, and growth. Each story is unique, but many share common threads: the need to feel heard, the desire for connection, and the courage to seek change.

Blogs are our way of extending that space beyond the counselling room. Whether you are navigating a relationship breakdown, supporting a young person through a tough time, or simply curious about how therapy works, we hope these posts offer insight, comfort, and maybe even a sense of companionship.

What you will find here; We write about the real-life issues that bring people to counselling:

• Communication and Reconnection: How small shifts in how we listen and respond can rebuild trust and closeness.
• Grief and Loss: Understanding the many forms grief can take, and how to move through it at your own pace.
• Young People’s Challenges: From anxiety and identity to peer pressure and family dynamics – we explore what it is like growing up today.
• Relationship Dynamics: Whether romantic, familial, or platonic, relationships shape us. We look at how they evolve, and how to nurture them.

Why it matters; We believe that healing begins with understanding – and sometimes, reading something that reflects your own experience can be the first step. Our hope is that our blogs feel like a gentle companion, offering clarity when things feel cloudy, and reminding you that you are not alone.

We are based in Looe Street, Plymouth, and always happy to chat in person when the time feels right for you. Until then, we invite you to explore, reflect, and reach out if something resonates.

The Expectation Gap: Why Happiness Sometimes Feels Out of Reach

We often grow up believing that happiness comes from getting what we want – the right job, the perfect relationship, a sense of control over life. But psychology tells a different story: much of our happiness depends not on what we have, but on what we expect.

When we expect life to always feel good, relationships to always be fulfilling, or ourselves to always be confident and calm, we set a bar that’s impossible to reach. And when reality doesn’t match those expectations, it can leave us feeling disappointed, frustrated, or even like we’ve failed.

This space between how things are and how we think they should be is what researchers call the expectation gap. The wider that gap, the harder it is to feel content – even when things are objectively okay.

In counselling, we often explore this gap gently and honestly. It’s not about lowering your standards or giving up hope. It’s about finding a balance between hope and acceptance – learning to appreciate what’s here, now, even if it’s imperfect. It’s about discovering what truly matters to you, rather than chasing someone else’s version of happiness.

We’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone begins to shift their perspective – not by ignoring their struggles, but by understanding them. That shift can bring calm, clarity, and a deeper sense of satisfaction.

📍At Personal & Relationship Counselling Plymouth, we’re here to help you explore these questions in a safe, supportive space. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Sometimes we talk, but don’t really hear each other. Words are exchanged, but the meaning – the emotion behind them – gets lost. Over time, this can leave us feeling distant, unheard, or even invisible in our relationships.

We see this often in counselling: couples who feel like housemates instead of partners, parents and teens locked in cycles of frustration, friends drifting apart without knowing why. It’s not that people stop caring – it’s that life gets busy, emotions get tangled, and communication becomes reactive instead of intentional.

Counselling offers a space to pause. To slow down. To really listen – not just to the other person, but to yourself. It’s a place where you can explore what’s being said, what’s being felt, and what’s being missed. Sometimes, even the smallest shift – a new way of phrasing something, a moment of genuine listening – can begin to rebuild trust and closeness.

We don’t believe in quick fixes. But we do believe in the power of connection. And we’ve seen how, with time and care, relationships can heal and grow stronger than before.

📍We’re based locally in Looe Street, Plymouth, and always happy to chat in person when the time feels right for you. Whether you’re coming alone or with someone else, you’re welcome here.

Stepping Outside: Nature as a Gentle Reset

Sometimes, the simplest things can make the biggest difference. Stepping outside – even for just a short walk – can be one of the most powerful ways to calm your mind and reconnect with yourself.

Research shows that spending just 20 minutes in nature can lower cortisol, the stress hormone. But beyond the science, there’s something deeply human about being outdoors. The rhythm of your footsteps, the sound of birds, the feel of the wind – it all helps you slow down and breathe a little easier.

And it doesn’t have to be a long or strenuous hike. A gentle stroll along the coast, through a quiet park, or under the trees on a wooded path can help you reset, shift your perspective, and ease tension. It’s not about exercise – it’s about presence.

Here in Plymouth, we’re lucky. From the rugged beauty of Dartmoor to the calming views along the South West Coast Path, nature is never far away. These spaces offer more than scenery – they offer breathing room, a chance to pause, and a way to reconnect with what matters.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just in need of a moment to yourself, try stepping outside. It’s a small act of self-care that can gently open the door to healing.

📍We’re here at Personal & Relationship Counselling Plymouth, based in Looe Street – and we often encourage clients to explore how nature can support their wellbeing, alongside counselling.