Last week we looked at diets and suggested a different approach to losing those extra pounds which seem to magically appear at this time of year – or in the run up to our fortnight in the sun. For a quick reminder click here. 

 

It all starts with setting our internal sat nav and saying where we are right now. Treating it as being “interesting” – goodness, is that where I am?!? – rather than letting the Little Monster in our Heads use it as another reason to make us feel bad. 

 

Then, deciding where we want to end up. So, feeling healthy / having plenty of energy / looking good / easily moving through our day / something else. 

 

Which just leaves one simple question. How to get there most easily. 

With thanks to Cathy Hopkins, the actress, for the inspiration for the title of this week’s blog post. 

 

Having deviated a little from our planned blog post last week – it really is like “Snot Central” out there at the moment (!) – we’re now back on track this week with another seasonal topic. As we mentioned at the time, we’re willing to bet it’s been mentioned by at least one member of your household / family this month, if not yourself (!). 

 

So, if you hadn’t already guessed – the title of this post really is a bit of a giveaway (!) – we’re talking about diets. Or more accurately, shifting those excess pounds which seem to magically appear at this time of the year – “where did they come from?!?” – or, equally predictably, in the run up to our annual fortnight in the sun… 

Having talked about the dreaded (!) New Year’s resolutions for the last couple of weeks, as well as suggesting an alternative – and much simpler – “one size fits all” solution, we had another seasonal topic lined up for this week. We’ll leave you in suspense for now, but would be willing to bet it’s been mentioned by at least one member of your household / family this month, if not yourself (!). In the meantime, if you need a quick reminder about those dreaded New Year’s resolutions, you can find the posts here, here and here. 

 

However, our plans have been rather overtaken by the post festive period upswing in Colds – and all the usual “Winter lurgies” – aided by the return to school and ongoing cold, damp weather. Although we mentioned it in our pre Winter blog posts last Autumn, having had the same conversation with those around us since the Practice reopened – whether friends and family or Clients – we’ve taken the hint and made it the subject of this week’s blog post. 

 

So, if you’re ready for our usual dose of commonsense and different perspective on Winter lurgies, then here we go. 

For the last couple of weeks we’ve been looking at the dreaded New Year’s resolutions, if you missed them you can find the posts here and here. 

 

Having tried to inject a little common sense into the traditional and, let’s be honest, less than positive start to the new year (!) we’re going to suggest an alternative approach. One that doesn’t involve racking your brains – or having to fend off the well meaning suggestions of others – as to how you can magically improve your lives or health. 

 

Not only is it much simpler but can be used by everyone. Even better, it’s fueled by those inexhaustible power supplies we all have access to – otherwise known as intuition and inspiration (!) – rather than relying on gritted teeth and sheer willpower. 

 

Can you guess what this near miraculous approach is? 

Last week we took our annual look at the dreaded (!) New Year’s resolutions which, all too often, seem to be a reaction to the excesses of the festive season, along with a good dollop of peer pressure, rather than a well thought out plan to improve our lives or health. “I’m going to lose 3 stone / run a marathon / double my salary / fill in the blank, what about you?” Sadly, the results – or non results (!) – are all too predictable and yet people still keep doing it... If you missed it, you can find it here. 

 

Not surprisingly, this then leads on to conversations with Clients and those around us as to why their efforts were unsuccessful – again (!). How changes can be made more easily. And, let’s be honest as quick and painless as possible. 

 

Well, there’s good news and bad news. 

 

The good news is there’s a very easy answer to this question. 

 

The bad news is that it isn’t necessarily the one people want to hear… 

First things first. We wish you a very happy – and healthy (!) – New Year, may 2026 be a great year for you!!! 

 

So, another shiny New Year beckons. The million dollar question is what are you going to do with it? What plans do you have? Big and, just as important, small. And, if you’re wondering why small is just as important, there’s a very simple answer. Not only are small things less scary and so easier to do – as well as fitting more easily into your day – but quickly build up into a much bigger result. If you need a quick reminder why starting small AND starting now wins the day (!), click here for our first post of 2025. 

 

Which brings us on to the dreaded New Year’s resolutions. As Clients and regular readers of this blog will know by now, we’re not great fans of the usual approach to New Year’s resolutions. It’s the reason we refer to them as the dreaded New Year’s resolutions (!). 

Well, it’s almost THAT day of the year again. One guaranteed to send stress levels rocketing through the roof. And, with many people having already donned their metaphorical tin hat in anticipation (!), it’s not surprising that one – less that positive (!) – little mantra is so popular at this time of year. Although, to be fair, it’s a perennial favourite all year round. 

 

Often known as “Sod’s Law” – or “Murphy’s Law” – it says quite simply, “If something can go wrong, it will.” While we haven’t been able to find out exactly who Sod was (!), apparently, Murphy’s Law came from a Captain Murphy. He was involved in the testing of high speed jets and said, of one of the technicians working on the project, that “If there is any way to do it wrong, he’ll find it.” It quickly became known as “Murphy’s Law” and another mantra – or motto – was born. 

 

So, are we suggesting that you should fall back on this all too common “glass half empty” approach to the festive season? 

 

Well, no. 

 

Instead, we’re going to suggest two alternative little mantras to help smooth your path and get things moving in a much more positive direction. 

 

Ready? Then here we go… 

Last week we kicked off our annual dose of festive season common sense with a reminder that perfection never wins. Good enough is always good enough. Yes, really! If you missed it or need a quick reminder (!) click here. 

 

Having seen off that particular monster for the time being – ever the optimist (!) – this week we’re going to shine a light on one of its close relatives. One we allow to run rampant far too often. Or, let someone else send in our direction… Guilt. 

Goodness, it’s the second week in December already – deep calming breaths all round – and the madness of the festive season is upon us. Having seen some rather frazzled Clients in the last few days, we thought it was time for a dose of common sense. That’s if we dare use those two words in the same breath, Christmas and common sense (!). 

 

Moving swiftly on, we’re going to use the posts running up to the big day to try and inject a little sanity into proceedings. And, in the process, help reduce the collective blood pressure and less than reasonable expectations about the season… 

 

Ready? 

 

Then here we go. 

If you’re a car driver, you’ll be used to the myriad of hazard and warning lights on your dashboard. Whether you know exactly what they’re for – or not – is another matter (!). Some orange, some red. Some blinking, often rather aggressively. Others coming with a warning shriek or, as an elderly relative used to call them, “whingers.” With there being so many different ones these days, it can be hard to know which ones to pay attention to – NOW!!! – and which can be safely ignored, for a while at least… 

 

And it’s exactly the same with us, albeit less high tech. We all have our own unique warning signs and symptoms that something may be amiss. Whether a little or a lot. We just have to notice them.