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While I am sure to drop by occasionally, I am going to be here on the blog much less. I need to concentrate on other pieces of writing (including the PhD which has been gathering inside for a few years now and could do with letting out before it does me an injury), and on my brand new online counselling endeavour just a step from here at MyTherapist.com.

I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts and reactions here — in fact I have enjoyed the sheer process of noticing and then formulating thoughts and reactions which otherwise might have just floated by kind of indistinctly. Sometimes I have just pulled something out of nothing, and that has to be one of the most joyful experiences there is.

I have also experienced first hand the lure of internet addiction, and felt the danger of being pulled into a certain “how to” culture. So many articles about how to live a better life, more peaceful, more effective, making more money, being happier. I sometimes felt that the actual act of reading the articles imparted a kind of peace, happiness and sense of control over my life. This feeling was so pleasant, the articles were written so well, so simply, and most of what they were saying was what I knew already. One, two, three, tick the boxes, sit back and feel satisfied with yourself. One click and go somewhere else to be told the same thing in a slightly different way. Spend all day like that. Bingo!

It was so peaceful out there in cyberspace, creating the world exactly as I wanted to see it, that it is just as well that the reality around me yanked me decisively away and reminded me that real life engagement — although not half as tranquilising, wise, or all on my own terms — is nevertheless the whole point!

But by far the most enjoyable part of writing here for me has been discovering blogs covering similar subjects. Blogs with personality, and new friends.

First of all, a shout to Evan, who almost invariably has something to say about my posts, and takes the trouble to say it, for which I thank him! That is not the reason why I mention his blog, though, but the consistent quality of the posts on wellbeingandhealth, which are infused with a kind of wisdom and gentleness. His course on Living Authentically looks to be both inspiring and full of good sense.

Another four sites really stand out for me. Isabella Mori’s change therapy has been a constant inspiration, a steady source (indeed, a constant stream, how does she do it?) of quality content about issues close to the heart and the mind of not only therapists/clients but any creative, curious people. The tone is what brings me here again and again — it feels clear, open and warm.

William Harryman’s Integral Options Cafe is also a great place to hang out. In fact I usually need a coffee to focus, as the posts can be long, incisive and challenging in the best of ways. There are theories of consciousness, spiritualities, politics, laughs, links, poems and music. Detailed literary reviews sit next to live lectures by scientists, meditation tips and hilarious satire. The site has a buddhist, integral (in the Ken Wilber sense) world view and always provides food for thought.

Mindhacks is less of a personal site, but it presents its explorations of science and consciousness and how the two of them examine each other with wit, flair and pace. Hats off to them.

Gena Dry’s thefivequestionsyoumustaskyourtherapist.com is a brilliant riposte by an ex-client of an abusive therapist, challenging cults and bad therapy in the most creative of ways, really going into how the process of abuse works, and offering resources and hope for others.

Last but not least, the home of quality writing from mothers about the experience of motherhood and how it turns you inside out and/or keeps you going: Literarymama is at the centre of the “maternal blogosphere”. The fact that they consciously avoid “Work that fits the too often used formula of ‘I am flawed as a mother, but my children lead me to a realization that I am a good enough mother, and even though mothering is hard, it is all worth it’” says it all. Go read!

On that note — bye for now. Thanks to Greg  — Mr Counselling Resource Extraordinaire – for inviting me, thanks to commenters for your comments and readers for reading. I am sure I will be back sooner than I think.