Assessing your plate
It's time to assess that full plate of yours, again.
Hello! How are you? It's been a while. Three years ago I wrote a blog about plates. It was riveting.
Just kidding, it was about the idiom we use of having a full plate and when we need to make space on the plate but moving things off, or when we might need a bigger plate. You can read it here.
I reached a point in the middle of this year where I had to take a good, long look at what was on my plate and acknowledge it was too much. I had a conversation with a friend about the accumulation of things that we carry, especially loss.
It was such a revelatory moment for me, along with looking back over the year and really seeing everything that has happened that has had an impact on me. I started counting losses as well as new things I was trying to do.
Weirdly, I am not talking about big heavy moments or traumas. There have been no earth-shifting events. On the outside, everything looks pretty much the same if you're looking in. Only we know the internal state of our souls. Only we know when the plate has reached a tipping point and we're out of plate.
It's been an incredibly freeing thing for me to realise that there is nothing wrong with me, I'm simply a bit out of plate for the season I've been in and am going into. That actually, I am in transition, and that can be exhausting. Again, transition doesn't necessarily mean anything looks different on the outside. But there are internal shifts and changes that impact us and need to be acknowledged - even if the outcomes are fantastic.
One of the things I quietly moved from my plate was this blog as well as trying to keep up with social media posting (which I fail at even when my plate is expansive!) I have missed it. I am glad to be back. It might change from what it has always looked like, but I haven't decided yet.
As we finish off the last month in the third quarter of 2026, here is your official permission to examine your plate!
Catch up with me!
Here are some highlights from the last couple of months that I've been away from the blog.
Journalling Workshops in July
Two Journalling Workshops in July at Midlands Expressive Arts Studio. I LOVED THEM BOTH! The venue was just perftect for these workshops and they made my heart so full. Thank you to every person who came along, what a joy! (More to come...see below)
Harmful Sexual Behaviour Conference
I've just come back from Jelly Beanz Child Trauma conference in Cape Town. What a privilege to be there. Simon Hackett, world renowned for his research on harmful sexual behaviour between children, was the key note speaker. He spoke with such respect and compassion for children and families. He was balanced and clear and incredibly humble. There were also several other speakers who all did a brilliant job at presenting research, information, and practical tools.
For me it was a much-needed time amongst colleagues to laugh and learn. You'll be hearing more from me on this in the weeks to come!
What's Coming?
I am so excited for a BRAND NEW JOURNALLING WORKSHOP!!
Journalling through Transitions
If you, like me, recognise that you have been navigating a transition of any kind this year, this workshop is for you.
Transition is exhausting. It involves losses of different kinds. It draws on your resources and depletes you unless you intentionally care for yourself in the transition.
In this workshop we will be using collaging to process transitions in our lives. A blend of visual and written processing to get us out of trying to reason our way through change, and into our hearts and bodies.
Transitions can make us feel isolated and even invisible. Like going from being single and carefree, to becoming a mom staying home to look after children. Or, from being employed to moving into retirement. Or, moving to a new place where no one knows who you are. Or, getting divorced. Or being bereaved. Or hitting menopause.
Your transition could be none of the above, but you know something is changing or has changed for you. People can't see it from the outside, but you know it's there. It can be putting down something, or picking up something new. All you know is, the landscape is different!
When: 30 September
Where: Midlands Expressive Art Studio (of course!)
Who: Anyone who has been in transition. Most suited to adults 18 years plus. Women AND Men welcome!
Cost: R450 per person
Sign up available through my website, click below.
Linda Smallbones
