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Dawn Deslow

@dawndeslow

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Just trying to live my best life.

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#selfcare with rock music 🎵

Beginning the autumn with our third concert of the year and the third time we’ve seen @bonjovi live playing all the classics I remember growing up to

The next day we got up and added movement to our self care by visiting somewhere new - @wormwoodscrubsparkrun a lovely trail in the heart of London with rich history and then after some breakfast a walk in the warm autumn sun.

It got me thinking about the therapeutic side of music and how much it can mean to us.

Music can hold memories, help us connect with emotions and sometimes express things that words struggle to. A particular song can take us straight back to a moment in our lives, remind us of someone special, or simply make us feel understood.

There’s also something powerful about experiencing live music. Being surrounded by people singing, dancing, laughing and sharing the same experience can create a real sense of connection and belonging.

As a therapist, I often talk about self-care — and self-care isn’t always about having a quiet night in, taking a bath or switching off from the world.

Sometimes self-care is getting dressed up, going to a concert, singing along badly, laughing with someone you love and creating memories together.

It’s about making space for the things that bring us joy, connection and a sense of being present in the moment.

Because looking after our mental health isn’t just about managing the difficult days. It’s also about making room for the good ones. ❤️

What song or artist instantly lifts your mood or brings back a special memory?

#SelfCare #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #Therapy

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South Downs Way 100 miler. 2nd hundred mile race completed. 🏅

Last year took on the North Downs so it felt right to do the south to go together.

This route starts from Winchester in Hampshire along the South Downs Way and ends in Eastbourne in East Sussex.

The pictures don’t do the scenery justice. I had been out here a few times to recce the route to about up to 66 miles so the rest was into the unknown. Which was good cos it was brutal so only having to do it once was enough!

I got to meet some other awesome people out there who kept me company over night as we slogged away trying to find the mystical aid station at allegedly 76 miles

The volunteers at @centurionrunning were beyond amazing and couldn’t do enough. The signage even I couldn’t get lost this time! (Flashback to last years north downs and the extra 2 miles we shan’t speak of again!)

My wonderful wife who crewed me and gave me tough love who queued at Tesco to get me protein shakes and red bull @dawndeslow - as she shows me her stress levels on her @garmin

@franklee4527 who on his 61st birthday ran his own amazing South Downs and who gets me into this mischief to start with!

There were some real tough times, and maybe some times I just wanted to get it done - just focus on the finish line
And others where I was just grateful for the opportunity to do this. The people with me crewing me volunteers the chance that no matter what else is going on out there, I’m amongst a beautiful part of the world - seeing the sunset and sunrise on the downs.

There’s gonna be some real reflection time on what’s next on the challenge list - I like the idea of setting my mind on something. Maybe not quite as long this time. Maybe.

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A week in pictures, and our annual visit to @kewgardens in South West London for the Christmas lights walk they put on around the botanic gardens. Something they’ve been doing since 2013. We’ve not been doing it that long but for the past few years it’s been a little tradition of ours!

The lights and music of the trails was wonderful and mesmerising despite the wet weather on Friday

We got up early on Saturday to experience another new parkrun and joined 486 other runners and walkers at the Fulham Palace parkrun which starts next door to the football club at Fulham FC and ran along the Thames

And yesterday took a trip to historic Canterbury to see how they’ve set up Christmas this year after getting up at 5am to complete one of my last long runs before my next 50km ultra in two weeks time, and reaching 50 miles run this week!

Amongst all the miles, early mornings, Christmas lights and rain, this week reminded me that life isn’t about rushing through each moment, but noticing the light in each one. Even small rituals, small steps and small joys can steady us. Here’s to finding brightness wherever we can, and letting it guide us forward.

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Positive Duck 🦆 the emotional support advent calendar 🗓️

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This week was a week of self care, taking in the sights and sounds of the upcoming Christmas season, experiencing new things and meeting up with people.

Visiting London for the lights and going up to the @londoneye and this week going to the opening of the #rochesterchristmasmarket

@dawndeslow @nikee.r.8 @emmylou1970 all went to the newest @parkrunuk up at #greenwichpeninsula right next door to the @theo2london this was super busy with nearly a thousand people turning up! Certainly tested my being in a new place with loads of people.

Yesterday a group of us went out for run together on the North Downs. Meeting people hadn’t met for a while. And being in a place haven’t been since the 100 miler I did in August. And in the daylight this time.

At one point @mementonymori and I got a little of course and away from the others.
Together and through the medium of google maps and eventually finding a phone signal we found our way. Using the:- “When things go wrong, resilience says: ‘Okay… what now?’”

This isn’t the first time I’ve managed to not follow the smoothest path - adding 2 miles to a 103 mile run! But sometimes things go wrong and all about adapting the plan - something I try and use in my day-to-day life.

“The route rarely matches the plan, but it still gets you where you need to go.”

#wellbeing #mentalhealthmatters #depressionawareness #therapy #counselling #positivevibes #selfcaretips #Counsellor #depressionhelp #counsellingservices #mentalhealthsupport #Therapy #Selfcare #Positivethoughts #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #counsellor #counsellingservices #selflove #selflovetips #CBT #PCT #Talkingtherapy #ChathamKent #resilience

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A spooky weekend of pushing ourselves further!

On Thursday not letting Storm Benjamin stop our usual Thursday meet up with friends on the trails around us and catching up afterwards.

Then on Saturday Dawn and me went to London to do the @actionchallenge Halloween Walk
Dressed in some spooky attire and walked through the city into East London and back towards Westminster and back to the Oval. Along the way we chatted to some fellow walkers

Getting home quite late, bur still got up early to do the @embrace_ultra community run with a huge turnout and meeting lots of new people.

Meeting new people can be surprisingly therapeutic — it boosts mood, reduces loneliness, and sparks personal growth. Connecting with others releases feel-good hormones like dopamine and oxytocin, helping ease stress and improve mental health. Fresh conversations broaden your perspective, inspire creativity, and strengthen your sense of belonging. Whether you’re rebuilding after change, seeking motivation, or simply craving connection, new relationships can be a powerful step toward emotional healing and a happier, more balanced life. 🌿💬✨

👻👻👻🎃🎃🎃👻👻👻

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #halloween2025🎃👻🕷️
#therapy #counselling #chathamkent #meetnewpeople

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This week was about New Things.

Monday, was a walk along the Kent coast for around a half marathon as the sun was setting - in preparation for mine and @dawndeslow Halloween Walk in a few weeks

Saturday was about visiting a new parkrun in Essex and visiting Hadleigh Farm and the remains of the Castle

And yesterday I joined @hellfire.events.official for a 10 mile social trail run in Dover with some tough terrain but some awesome views. It was also the change to meet new people and explore some new places.

Trying new things and meeting new people can be incredibly healing and therapeutic. Every time you step into something unfamiliar — whether it’s a new hobby, a class, or a simple conversation — you’re giving your mind and body a chance to grow in healthy ways.

🌱 It reduces stress by breaking up old patterns
🧠 Builds confidence as you learn and adapt
💬 Strengthens emotional and social skills
❤️ Fosters connection and a sense of belonging

You don’t have to make big changes — even small steps count. Growth begins when you allow yourself to explore, connect, and be curious. 💚

#MentalHealthMatters #TherapeuticGrowth #HealingJourney #TrySomethingNew #MindfulLiving #newthings #outsidecomfortzone #chatham #kent #mentalhealth #growth

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What I did this weekend……

A day of giving back and spending time in mindfulness

I’ve done lots of running events over the years, and this Saturday I did some volunteering at an event…. The @embrace_ultra 50km trail run that ran from Rochester to Tonbridge in Kent. I did this event last year and have done a few challenges with Embrace it was so good to see a behind the scenes and give something back.
I started the day giving out runners bibs and ended the day giving out medals to the very same runners. So rewarding 🫶
There’s picture of my running family getting their medals

Today after running some of the same route with a good friend of mine @franklee4527 my wife and I went to @buttercupsgoats in Kent where last Christmas I was gifted an adoption on a goat - Harry Styles!
This is the second time visiting, won’t be the last!
This time the goats were out and playing in the early summer sunshine! A few hours relaxing and just enjoying the day.

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Clearly #Kitty has no boundaries where it comes for sleeping.
Bags out to get ready for next week's @brightonmarathonweekend but she's found better use for her snuggles!

#catsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram #sleepykitty

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Oooooh shiny #catsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram #kittiesofinstagram #christmastree

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I could be wrong, but pretty sure that's not how you use the kitty tray

#catsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram

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Suppose saves using bowls 🤷

#hungrykitty
#catsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram

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