Mindful Poetic Stories Podcast

• Christmas; Like It, Love It or Hate It

  Rethinking Christmas; Stress, Mindset & Meaning A reflective, poetic look at the emotional weight of Christmas, and practical ways to bring calm, creativity, and connection back into the holidays.   In this heartfelt Christmas-themed episode, Patricia shares the story that inspired a powerful reframing of the season: a 2021 conversation with someone who “hated Christmas”, perhaps not so much for its meaning, but for its pressure. That conversation sparked a deeper exploration into stress, expectation, emotional reactivity, and how mental fitness can transform the holiday experience.   You’ll hear personal stories of family, loss, boundaries, overwhelm, creative traditions, and ultimately, how mindset shifts lead to a more peaceful, intentional holiday.   Key Takeaways: Most people don’t hate Christmas, they hate the stress, so normalised, round it. Consumerism, pressure, overspending, overconsumption, and emotional reactivity create anxiety that becomes normalised. Emotional intelligence changes everything. Building inner calm allows you to experience peace even during chaos, instead of running from stress. Expectations are the root of holiday burnout. Letting go of the “perfect Christmas” allows joy to emerge naturally. What you feed grows. Thoughts, beliefs, actions, they all expand where attention goes. Pause to ask: “Is this feeding what I want more of… or less of?” Power pauses are essential. Regular, mindful check-ins help you shift from reactivity to intentional response. Boundaries matter every day of the year. Healthy limits protect wellbeing, energy, and connection, especially during emotionally charged seasons. Creativity & connection can transform Christmas. Games, question boxes, writing challenges, outdoor adventures, and family “spotlight days” build meaningful memories without spending money. If you’re alone this Christmas, it can still be mindful and meaningful. Community events, volunteering, support lines, or simple rituals can create connection.   Practical Recommendations: Holiday Mental Fitness Practices The Power Pause: Ask yourself what you’re feeding right now, and adjust. Intentional breathing: Try box breathing (4-4-4). Emergency Relaxation Plan: Time in nature, a brisk walk, music, or mindful movement to reset your nervous system. Mindful Eating: Savour each bite , taste, texture, temperature.   Creative, Connection-Building Traditions Christmas Question Box: Everyone creates 3 questions to put into the box, and then everyone picks one at random to answer. Family Member of the Day: Celebrate one person intentionally. Nature Photo Stories: Each person takes one outdoor photo, then shares the story behind it. Family Writing Challenge: Create poems, limericks, haikus or stories from a shared prompt. Play, laugh, make fun memories: Encourage imagination, curiosity, mistakes, and silliness.   For anyone spending Christmas alone Check local churches/community centres for events. Visit Action to End Loneliness. https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/ Use free helplines such as Samaritans (116 123) or Shout (text SHOUT to 85258). Consider volunteering; its grounding, connecting, and meaningful.   Memorable Quotes from the Episode “Do you hate Christmas, or do you hate the hype, stress, and pressure we’ve normalised?” “What you feed grows! That includes our thoughts, your beliefs, your actions.” “I believed Christmas was uncontrollable stress… but now I can find peace even in chaos.” “Take ownership of you. Build emotional intelligence within yourself first.” “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” Wayne Dyer “Negative emotions aren’t the problem — staying in them is.” “Your health matters 365 days a year.” “You can’t use up creativity, the more you use, the more you have.” Maya Angelou “Creativity is inventing, experimenting, making mistakes, and having fun.” Mary Lou Cook “You matter 365 days of the year, look after you.” Book a discover call with Patricia by emailing [email protected]    

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• Christmas Is Coming

  Introduction In this heartfelt December episode, Patricia shares stories of Christmases past, present, and future, and how the festive season, while full of joy, can also bring exhaustion, overwhelm, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and emotional strain. Patricia shares a poetic reflection on her former “autopilot Christmases,” the impact of mental fitness on transforming the holiday experience, and practical tools to help you reclaim peace, presence, and personal power this festive season. How you can not only survive Christmas but thrive through it.   Whether you celebrate Christmas or any other big holiday, this episode offers guidance to help you thrive, not merely survive.   Key Takeaways Christmas stress is often habit-driven. Much of the overwhelm comes from autopilot patterns: needing to control, please, or perfect everything. The Power of the Pause can transform your emotional experience, helping you choose peace, compassion, and presence rather than chaos and reactivity. A Personal Christmas Mission Statement brings clarity and intention to the season, helping you stay aligned with what truly matters. Emotional wellbeing > perfection. People remember connection, humour, and togetherness, not flawless dinners or pristine décor. Boundaries are essential. Saying yes to everything often means saying no to yourself. Support children with empathy. Christmas consumerism can heighten expectations; teaching emotional awareness and kindness helps them navigate disappointment. Joy is created, not bought. Connection, generosity, and shared traditions hold much deeper value than gifts.   Notable Quotes “Between every stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” – Viktor Frankl “No one can drive you crazy unless you give them the keys.” “This Christmas, begin with the end in mind and choose what truly matters to you.” “Your wellbeing is priceless, kindness and connection last longer than perfection.” “The power is not in the choice itself, but in consciously choosing.”   Practical Recommendations Write Your Personal Christmas Mission Statement Reflect on: Past Christmases—your memories, values, and lessons The present—your intentions and what you want to cultivate The future—how you want to feel in early January Turn your reflections into a short, positive, written daily reminder such as: “This Christmas, I choose………… calm, connection, and presence.”   Practice the Power of the Pause Use mindful pauses to: Regulate your emotions Reduce reactivity Redirect energy from chaos toward love, compassion, clarity, and peace   Let Go of Autopilot “Needs” Need to control: Prioritise kindness over being right; release tension for the greater good. Need to be perfect: Embrace imperfection. Chaos often becomes the story everyone laughs about years later. Need to please: Choose your “yes” and “no” consciously. Set boundaries. Ask for help. Delegate.   Support Children Emotionally Validate their feelings, especially around disappointment or comparison Use creative outlets to help them express emotions Teach the joy of giving with family kindness lists, handmade gifts, or toy donations   Remember What Christmas Is Really About Connection. Joy. Presence. Compassion. Shared moments—not perfect gifts or flawless planning.   Food you can buy more of! Gifts you can buy more of!   But time is something you can’t buy!   contact me via my website www.pacoaching.co.uk or email me [email protected]  

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• Tears

  In this episode, Patricia explores the surprising science, psychology, and emotional wisdom behind tears. Why we cry and why it matters. From childhood beliefs about “crying alone,” to the therapeutic power of being seen, to the extraordinary microscopic landscapes of Rose-Lynn Fisher’s Topography of Tears, this conversation reveals why tears are far more than a sign of sadness, they’re a biological release, an emotional reset, and a universal human connector.   Introduction We often rush to stop our own tears, and the tears of others. Yet emotional tears are uniquely human and play a crucial role in healing, connection, and self-understanding. Today’s episode explores the biology of crying, why we’re uncomfortable with emotions, how coaching spaces can invite healthy release, and the unexpected beauty contained within a single tear drop.   Key Takeaways Emotional tears are biologically healing, releasing stress hormones and boosting oxytocin and endorphins. We often shut down tears due to discomfort, not compassion, yet supportive presence can make crying therapeutic. Tears can appear in coaching spaces when clients finally feel safe, seen, and heard. Microscopic tear patterns are unique, revealing emotional “landscapes” as shown in Rose-Lynn Fisher’s Topography of Tears. Crying is universal but deeply personal, influenced by culture, context, and human connection. Not all crying is cathartic, its healing depends on how others respond. Tears mark emotional turning points, allowing acceptance, release, and renewal. There is nothing to fear about tears, they connect us to ourselves and to one another.   Notable Quotes “We have nothing to fear from tears.” “Comforted tears heal, ignored tears may deepen pain.” “Tears are landscapes of emotion, tiny maps of the human soul.” “We cannot control the ocean, but we can learn to surf.” “Tears mark turning points, moments of acceptance, release, and renewal.” “If you need to cry, cry unapologetically.” “A safe space can turn tears into empowerment.”   Recommended Books The Topography of Tears – Rose-Lynn Fisher A stunning visual exploration of human emotion through microscopic tear photography. The Crying Book – Heather Christle A poetic, literary, and deeply moving examination of why humans cry. Why Humans Cry – Ad Vingerhoets A scientific look at crying, catharsis, and emotional expression. In Praise of Therapeutic Crying – Jeffrey Von Glahn (article) A compassionate exploration of crying as a healing tool   Contact me via my website www.pacoaching.co.uk or email [email protected]  

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• Listening

  Listening The Art of Listening, Where Love Begins   Episode Summary In this reflective and heartfelt episode, Patricia explores the profound power of listening to others, to life, and most importantly, to ourselves. Drawing from personal stories, coaching experiences, and emotional lessons learned, this episode invites you to slow down, embrace silence, and reconnect with your inner Sage wisdom. You’ll learn why listening is one of the most transformational acts of love, how active listening nurtures deeper relationships, and how mental can help us cultivate self-listening and help us build emotional resilience, and meaningful human connection.   Key Takeaways Listening is the foundation of love and human connection. To feel listened to is to feel seen, valued, and loved. Listening builds trust, belonging, and emotional safety, things every human deeply needs. Silence is not emptiness, it's powerful. Silence helps nourish wisdom, create space for deeper reflection, and reveal truths often missed in noise and distraction. Active listening transforms relationships. Listening without interruption, judgment, fixing, or assuming allows others to process their own thoughts and uncover their own answers; “the brain that contains the problem also contains the solution.” Listening to yourself is an act of self-love. Your mind, body, intuition, and emotions are constantly communicating with you. When disconnected or distracted, you lose access to your inner wisdom. Our digital, fast-paced world weakens our listening muscles. Overconsumption and constant distraction make it easy to lose touch with our inner voice—and with each other. Advice is often less helpful than curiosity. Well-intentioned advice can interrupt someone’s thought process. Curious questions create space for clarity and empowerment. Mental fitness reduces self-sabotage and strengthens your inner Sage. By diminishing self-neglect and the self sabotaging Saboteur voice, you create space for intuitive, compassionate, aligned decision-making. We must relearn deep listening in our families. Partners, children, and friends thrive when we give them the gift of undivided attention, especially during emotional moments. Self-listening is needed before we can listen to others well. You cannot offer presence, compassion, or understanding if you don’t practice them with yourself first. Listening is love in action. A five-minute conversation where someone feels truly listened to is more nourishing than hours of distracted half-presence.   Notable Quotes “Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” Francis Bacon “Listening is an art form.” Nancy Kline “Love is listening, and listening is loving.” Patricia Ahern “Silence is not empty, it’s full of answers.” “The brain that contains the problem also contains the solution.” Nancy Kline “Listening is where love begins.” Patricia Ahern “Every view is the wrong view if held as the only view.” “Your brain is always eavesdropping on your mind.” “You are a miracle, and self-love is your most powerful asset.” Patricia Ahern   Your Call to Action This Week Make space to listen to others Offer someone you love the gift of your full, uninterrupted presence. No fixing. No advising. Just listening. Make space to listen to yourself Ask yourself with compassion: What do I think? What do I feel? What do I believe right now? Create micro moments of silence Let silence nourish your inner wisdom. Strengthen self-love through self-listening Place a hand on your heart and affirm your worth. Reconnect with your childhood self. Stop saying yes when your heart says no. Make meaningful time for yourself.   Final Reflection Listening heals. Listening connects. Listening helps us belong. And when we learn to listen deeply to others and to ourselves, we awaken our inner Sage and live with greater clarity, purpose, and compassion. Thank you for listening with an open heart, open mind, and open ears.   Connect through my website www.pacoaching.co.uk or email at [email protected]  

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• Consumerism Part 2

  Mindful Poetic Stories Shownotes Episode Title: Consumerism Part 2 - From Self-Neglect to Self-Care: Breaking Free from Overconsumption and Finding Conscious Freedom Episode Introduction In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Patricia explores how modern consumerism, manipulation in marketing, and emotional conditioning keep us trapped in a cycle of problem–reaction–solution. Sharing her personal awakening to the hidden toxicity and waste surrounding daily life, she invites listeners to reflect on how our buying habits impact both our mental health and the planet. Through storytelling, cultural insights, and thought-provoking documentary recommendations including; The Story of Stuff, Ethos: A Time for Change, and Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy, Patricia invites us to slow down, buy mindfully, and reconnect with our values. This episode is a heartfelt call to move from self-neglect to self-care, from unconscious consumption to conscious living.   Key Takeaways We are conditioned to consume through emotional manipulation and social pressure. Overconsumption and “retail therapy” often mask deeper emotional needs. Fast fashion and planned obsolescence fuel environmental and human exploitation. Awareness is the first step toward sustainable, mindful change. Mental fitness and self-love are foundations for conscious living. Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to create.   Featured Topics Eco-conscious living and reducing toxic exposure Fast fashion, Shein, and the hidden cost of cheap clothes Consumer psychology: marketing, persuasion, and emotional triggers Sustainability documentaries that inspire change Mindful consumption and small, practical steps to reduce waste Mental fitness and self-care coaching for a more intentional life   Notable Quotes “We don’t buy products, we buy what a product promises us.” “Awareness is the first step to move from unconscious living to mindful action.” “Our body is our ultimate home. When we love and care for it, we naturally care for our planet.” “Letting go gives us freedom and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If in our heart we still cling to anything be it anger, anxiety or possessions we cannot be free”. Thich Nhat Hanh   Recommended Documentary; The Story of Stuff (2007) Documentary; Ethos: A Time for Change (2011) Documentary; Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy (2024) Book; Brave New World   Call to Action If this episode inspired you, share it with friends, family, or your community. Start conversations about consumption, sustainability, and self-awareness. Remember — small consistent steps create lasting change.   www.pacoaching.co.uk email at [email protected]  

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