Dare to Soar Blogs

One stitch at a time... I am in the early stages of crocheting a blanket. Depending on how focused I am, it can take me up to an hour, just to complete one row. Sometimes I feel reluctant to pick it up, realising just how long it will take me to complete the project. Even though generally, I find the hobby very satisfying and relaxing, sometimes I just feel the end goal is too far off, too overwhelming... Motivation drains away as it trickles through my fingers like water. Th

Toxic Empathy Empathy is often described as a person’s ability to ‘ step into another person's shoes ’ or enter another person's world in order to view life through their eyes . It fuels connection and safety in relationship. What then, is toxic empathy? ‘ Toxic empathy is not only sharing someone else’s feelings but also affirming their choices and feelings as justified, valid and good .’ (Stuckey, 2025) And this is where it can get complicated; people who are suffering do

I wonder how clear this picture appears to you? A bit blurry, out of focus and perhaps it is not immediately obvious what you are looking at? If we take a step back, it seems a little different and maybe makes a little more sense? A close up of a slipper limpet. Still a bit unfocused though. If you look carefully at the images below, you will observe the same shell in each photograph. However, when the angle of the photograph is changed, things can appear remarkably different

What-if-itis   If you are anything like me, that what-if narrative can kick in before I have even got out of bed in the morning, undermining my intentions for the day. Rarely, if ever, are what-ifs used in a positive way. For example, yesterday I had planned to go swimming but was feeling very tired and just the tiniest bit under the weather.   What if I am developing flu? What if going swimming makes me feel even more tired today? What if the pool is really cold? What if I i

My grandma was a sentimental collector of things that were precious to her. She lived in a ramshackle and very cozy cottage, but tidy it...

“I feel like any minute they will find me out… I'm a fraud…I shouldn't be doing this job...” Imposter Syndrome Fred’s story: He was a...

Stephen Karpman’s Drama Triangle (The Drama triangle (daretosoartransformationalcoaching.co.uk) helps us to recognize and understand what...

Have you ever found yourself in a familiar, and usually infuriating, situation with someone where there is a suspicion they are playing...

Toxic Positivity Consider this (true) scenario: Liz (not her real name) lost her mother recently. She is, understandably, grieving but...