Test anxiety at school is common. However, most markings and assessments are conducted privately.  No one else except the examiner can see what you are writing on your English essay. And they do it that away from prying eyes.

In contrast, some activities, and subjects involve public assessment: class presentations, hands-on tasks such as cooking and art, or a stage performance.  Furthermore, in performing arts and class presentations the spotlight can be on just one person.

If we judge school success by how often students find their spark and confidently explore their talents, the demands of the spotlight create a complex layer. For students contemplating undertaking subjects in which they are publicly reviewed, such as in the performing arts, they can be caught in the juxtaposition of choosing to do a subject that they love, but also one that can bring overwhelming stress due to the potential for social judgement. 

This article shares the viewpoint of one student in relation to music performance anxiety.  It also makes some suggestions for you on how to manage the ongoing parental battle of how hard you 'should' push to help your child find and develop their spark.

Does the thought of Christmas make you break out in a sweat? Does the sight of mince pies and Advent calendars in the shops start your mind racing even when Christmas is over two months away? It’s hard trying to juggle work, being a mum, and Christmas preparations and Christmas overwhelm and anxiety is real. But, there are three things that you can do to create an awesome Christmas and reduce your stress:

• Start with deciding the one thing you must include in your Christmas season.
• Secondly, intentionally create and deepen your connection with yourself, others, the world around you, and the transcendental.
• And lastly, but not least(y) maintain your self-care. Don't scoff. Self-care fatigue may be real, but there are simple ways to include self-care as part of your life and practice self-care at Christmas. 

Have you been told you "really should" walk, but you can't seem to make it happen?

What stops you from walking?

It's normal to feel hesitant or unsure about starting something new.

In this article I share strategies to help you get out the door and what to do when you're feeling uncomfortable or feeling anxious about what lies beyond your front door.. 

Learning how to pay attention to your thoughts, feelings and experiences in a mindful non judgemental way, may be the key to all the changes you wish to make.

How do you move from overwhelm to calm?

It can feel so daunting.

All the steps, the time and energy involved.  It's all just too much.

Yes, there are many steps.
Yes, any change requires time and energy, discipline and commitment.

And yes, the thought of all these things is often enough to stop you from doing anything.

But,
what if you were to focus on mastering just one skill?

Whether you want to reduce overwhelm, increase your health, increase calm, improve your confidence, deepen connections, or create more sustainable work habits, it all starts with this one thing.

Self-care fatigue describes the exhaustion and guilt you feel when you can't fit self-care into your day or your budget. 

Going out for lunch, getting your nails done or a massage, even going for a walk. When all you want to do at the end of the day is to put your feet up and watch TV

Sometimes it is all just so far out of reach.

And the pressure to do it is yet another burden adding to the daily overwhelm.

The good news is that self-care doesn't have to be something else you fit into your day.

Mindful, integrated self-care is available to everyone, because self-care is not just about what you do, but how you do it.  It's not just about taking chunks out of your life, but making self-care integral to your life.