I’m writing this because up until this morning I was sedentary, terrified, fuelled largely by bacon and sausage sarnies, and fully convinced I was about to spectacularly embarrass myself in public. Instead, I ended up muddy, exhausted, smiling - and unexpectedly hopeful. Not because I ran far or fast (I didn’t), but because the experience cracked something open in me that had been closed for a long time. This isn’t a fitness story or a motivational lecture. It’s just an honest account of what happened when I showed up scared and gave it a go anyway.

This Chamber of Curiosity is a 'pokey' one - buckle in. You may have heard of the psychiatrist Irvin Yalom. Throughout his work, he references the “givens of existence” - core aspects of human life that are inescapable and anxiety‑provoking. (Yes, anxiety‑provoking… Every single human experiences, - and in fact requires - a level of anxiety to remain alive – deep dive into The Chamber of Curiosity around Anxiety coming soon)

One of the most frequent words I hear in counselling sessions - regardless of age, background, or context - is “Anxiety.”

Mindfulness and meditation have been practiced for centuries, but neuroscience is now uncovering the profound ways they reshape our brains. From enhancing emotional regulation to strengthening cognitive function, these practices can offer tangible benefits backed by scientific research.

There’s a widely accepted idea - particularly within Western culture - that happiness is something we’re supposed to chase. An end goal. A destination. A final state of being that, once reached, will bring lasting contentment. I’ve definitely bought into that. I’ve spent time chasing happiness, forcing positivity, and trying to “get there” - picking up self-care books, colouring books, positive affirmations… all in the hope that something might finally make me feel consistently happy. As if happiness was something I could achieve and hold onto.

What if there was an instruction manual for being human? Something that told us what to do at each crossroads… how to make the “right” decisions… and how to navigate life without constantly second-guessing ourselves. No overthinking. No doubt. No lying awake wondering if we’re getting it wrong... It’s no wonder so many people come to therapy expecting the counsellor to hold the answers. But the real truth is this: You are the only expert on you that will ever exist.