New Beginnings Barrie
190 Cundles Road East, Suite 307 L4M4S5 Barrie, ON, Canada

This is what my face looks like after a day’s work sometimes. After seeing and chatting with about eight clients a day and that translates to roughly about 8 hours of speaking...sometimes I feel so worn out that all I want to do is eat and sleep, but most times, I feel elated and blessed to be in this position to help people. Since the pandemic started, many people have struggled with their mental health, and therapists have given their shoulders to many people to lean on. Am... I complaining? No. I am grateful for being able to assist in this era. The Japanese believe that ikigai is when one finds one's purpose in life. Looking at my life now is merely confirming that I have finally found my Ikigai. It means that even though it can be overwhelming sometimes, but when what you love meets what you are good at, and what you can be valued and paid for meets that which the world needs, please, someone answer me what else is needed? As per the fatigue... I have devised numerous self-care strategies to help me stay in shape... I take power naps daily amidst the sessions, and there are days that I don't work at all every week because I firmly believe that I can only help my clients better when I am in great shape. So, deep down my tired face..there is a heart filled with gratitude. What about you? Can you truthfully say you have found your Ikigai? If you’re interested in becoming a better, happier, more fulfilled you, I’d love to work with you every step of the way and assist you in making sense of life again. Please contact me today! Written by Ibukun Ogunsina, New Beginnings Barrie, Psychotherapy and Counselling Services. Website: www.newbeginningsbarrie.com E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +1 705 241 8456

This picture was taken last Sunday morning. Under normal circumstances, you won't find me relaxed on a Sunday morning. I would either be up and about getting ready to go to Church and screaming at my children to wake up..but since the pandemic started, my Sunday mornings have been relaxing. So, this particular morning, I was even able to read an edition of my favorite Oprah magazine, sipped a mug of decaf coffee, enjoyed the beautiful fragrance from my candle, and still had t...ime to chat with my husband..all before Sunday service online. I know some of us are worried about the events of the past few months...however, I would encourage us to set time aside to pamper ourselves, love on our spouses, seize this period to plan your time better, set time alone to watch or rewatch those favorite movies with your familyDeclutter your wardrobes and pantries and also set time aside to meditate and connect with your Creator. If you are working from home, please set appropriate boundaries by making sure that your week has a weekend. We have one life, and we have to live it. For me, I have even decided to gather a few friends together to praise and worship God like never before on the 5th of September at 5 pm EST on zoom...maybe you want to join us..then kindly use the below login details, and you will not regret it. ZOOM MEETING ID: 777 936 5505 PASSWORD: praise

You are invited ....

You are invited!!!!

My Latest Blog on Youtube. Relax, listen and reflect. Enjoy.

I am a black Psychotherapist living in North America. I once lived with my family for close to 15 years in South Africa, where apartheid was fought and eradicated. Here I am, the mother of an almost ten-year-old black boy. I have watched the events of the past few weeks on TV. In as much as I have tried to limit my exposure to social media and I have also been able to regulate my emotions by making use of some of the emotion regulation skills that I practice with my clients i...n session, I am still distraught. How do I control my anxieties when my son goes off to school or university, and I am not there? How do I get over the fear that besets a lot of mothers like me with the same skin color?

Be kind to yourself....

Happy Canada Day!!!!!

Many people are now battling different forms of anxiety as we plan to return to some form of normality after about three months of quarantine and lockdown due to COVID 19. Some are worried their health could be at risk, while some are just not sure it is ideal to go out there yet. People are still anxious and nervous about COVID 19 in general. Some people are not sure church is actually for them this year until a vaccine has been found. Please, do you. Don't let anyone forc...e you out of your home if you are not ready, but on the other hand, don't succumb to fear or anxiety as well. As a therapist, I also struggle with some forms of anxiety. For example, when I traveled with my daughter and friends to Israel in 2016, there was a time I declined to join camel riding for the sheer fear of falling. My daughter and my friends had so much fun riding the camels, but they failed in persuading me to join. I had peace not going, yes I missed out, but well, there is always another time or another day, but it was just not that day. Sometime last year, I was driving, and it began to rain, and I was on a steep bridge, all of a sudden, I became frozen, my legs could not move, and there were cars behind me, and the rain was blinding. There was no way I could stop in the middle of a bridge, I ended up singing and praying, and the anxiety dissipated, and I was able to drive safely. Anxiety comes in different shapes and forms, and we react to them differently. Anxiety can indeed trigger your flight-or-fight stress response, and this can release a flood of chemicals and hormones, like adrenaline, into your system. This increases your pulse and breathing rate in the short term, so your brain can get more oxygen. This prepares you to respond appropriately to an intense situation. For me, that was what happened when my legs became frozen on the bridge. As we get ready to go back to normal, maybe you are scared, and you are not prepared to go back to church or your normal activities, please, don't let anyone make you feel as if you are weak, work it through. Listen to yourself; you may even check in with a trusted family member or a therapist or someone that you know who will not be subjective but be objective and listen and assist you in making up your mind on what to do. Adopt healthy habits such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, and at least seven hours of sleep a night, and this will surely help give your immune system a boost. As you take your time to go back, do it at your pace. Don't allow people to force you to join in and ask yourself if this is something you need counseling for and then reach out to a therapist near you. Written by Ibukun Ogunsina, New Beginnings Barrie, Psychotherapy and Counselling Services. Website: www.newbeginningsbarrie.com E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +1 705 241 8456

Thank you so much for exceeding our expectations!!!!!!! We appreciate you all.