How Nature Can Teach Us To Embrace New Chapters

“Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most” Buddha

Only last month the buddleia plants in my garden stood tall, showcasing a canopy of beautiful purple and white flowers, whilst attracting hundreds of butterflies. They were a real showstopper in the garden and I spent many “mindful moments” watching the butterflies come and go amongst the flowers.

Nearing the end of August with a sense of autumn in the air, the buddleia plants have less colour and less visiting butterflies. I am aware I will have to wait until next July to connect with this “show stopper” experience again. I am also aware that nothing can change this current moment as nature doesn’t pretend to be anything other than itself at anyone time.

Nature is an important reminder of both the beauty and impermanence of life. Buddleia’s represent new beginnings, transformative spaces, resilience and hope. As you read this many of you may be about to become Iron mill students starting a new counselling chapter on either the certificate, the advanced counselling diploma or degree or supervision courses.

Some of you may be arriving at the Iron Mill College for the first time either in Exeter or Poole. For those of you who have completed your studies, you may be wondering what the next chapter will be within your placements and counselling organisations and which CPDs to complete next.

I have always looked at my life in chapters and I recognise whatever the time frame of a new chapter I will always learn something from a new experience. From my own professional experiences embracing new training courses or new organisations have only ever supported my counselling practice to evolve into the diverse practice it is today.

As one of the current tutors on the Iron Mill Advanced diploma course, I will liken the Iron Mill College to the Buddleia plant for being a college that embraces new beginnings, transformations, resilience and hope, which would mean as Iron mill students you become the butterflies. So enjoy landing into your new chapter and as nature reminds us please arrive as you are and let your next chapter evolve as it is supposed to!

“People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don’t find myself saying, soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner. I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds” Carl Rogers.

I am running two “How to integrate Nature Therapy into your counselling practice” CPDS in September in both Poole and Exeter, so please check the college website to book your place, as it would be great to welcome you along as we transition into autumn together.

by Emma Pritchard (MBACP)
Tutor for the Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling at Iron Mill College
emma.pritcharddcw - Dorchester Counselling and Wellbeing Service - About Us

Written August 2025

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