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As we celebrate Christmas 2021 and start to look forward to New Year 2022, it's a good time to pause, take a breath, and take stock. Here are some thoughts from our co-founder, David Craigie.
It's been a year like no other. For many, 2021 has been a year of constant trauma, as the world comes to grips with an ongoing global pandemic. Many have lost loved ones, sometimes tragically even unable to say goodbye to their nearest and dearest. We've all had to make sacrifices of freedom - changed plans, holidays cancelled, working/teaching/learning from home. Extroverts and introverts alike have struggled with the lack of social interaction, crowded living spaces, and deep loneliness. In an unexpected twist, we've had several clients in our practice confess that they've enjoyed lockdown and the enforcement of rules, which bring a feeling of safety and security in an uncertain world. For them, easing of restrictions brings stress and worry. Therapists around the world now have to revise their well-rehearsed scripts of challenging health anxieties and germ phobias by saying the likelihood of something bad happening is slim... The pandemic has also affected many of our careers. Working from home, furloughs, financial worries, and the stress of uncertainty and juggling roles. Many have also found this to be an opportunity to reflect on their careers and consider new directions. At times of serious disruption in our lives, it's often a period when we reevaluate things - our work, our habits, our relationships and friendships. When the things we take for granted are stripped away, it's also an opportunity to think about the things that are important to us. That said, we also want to be careful to not make too many big decisions during times of significant uncertainty, but times of reflection are always a good thing. Life will return to a sense of normality. We might need annual covid boosters, similar to the flu jab. We might find wearing masks in certain seasons to become a habit. But human beings are surprisingly adaptable, and we will find ways to adapt and adjust, while scientists and researchers continue their excellent advances. Now is a good time to pause and take a breath and take stock. How are you living your life? What are you prioritizing? Do your loved ones know how much you cherish them? Are you enjoying some or most of the work you do? Have you got creative outlets that work for you? Are self-care and self-compassion a regular feature of your life? Going forward into 2022, the Craigie Partnership is here to help and support you.
If you would like a blog article from one of our team, drop us an email and we'll see what we can do!
Our team has grown! We are delighted to have Jenny Kerr, a highly experienced CBT therapist and associate practitioner join us. We'll introduce Jenny in the new year, but you can read up about her here: https://craigiepartnership.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/jenny-kerr
As always, we are here to help with psychological support and therapy and now offer blended sessions online (zoom) or face-to-face: https://edinburghpsychologyservices.co.uk/
We can also help with career counselling and coaching, including CVs, interview techniques, and psychometric testing online or face-to-face: https://edinburghcoachingservices.co.uk/
On behalf of all the team at the Craigie Partnership, we wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, peaceful, and relaxing Christmas and every blessing for 2022.