I turned 9 this week so the human asked me to share more of my Cat Coaching ideas to help y’all Feline Better Every Day. Here are 9 – one for each year, geddit? Sorry, I’ve been influenced by the human…

1) I – like you – are part of nature. Like flowers, trees, everything… we’re ALL part of nature and we all have that divine spark within us. You might find it easier to see in your cat (dog, lizard, whatever) but YOU have it too. Remember this always…

2) I move differently when I embrace my inner panther than, say, when I’m running away from a very specific leaf… I feel good, empowered, strong, graceful, majestic even. Experiment with the way you walk and move through life. Let yourself have choices…

3) Life can change very quickly. The human warned me about our move from Essex, where I’d been born under a car and spent my early weeks in a shelter, to the west coast of Ireland. She needed me as much as I needed her but that rental studio, where we slept in a cupboard, was a playground for me, too. Let yourself explore as well as finding comfort and security…

4) Sometimes I hiss and bite and scratch. Very rarely. But I need to be able to show the other animals that I’m not to be messed with, even though they all think I’m very pampered and can’t protect myself. I CAN. And I do. It’s OK to bare your teeth, to roar and claw when needed. Boundaries are essential and you deserve yours…

5) I’m VERY good at relaxing. I’ve taught the human LOADS about how to do it. I often sit on her so she’s forced to paws for longer and simply BE. Do you have enough downtime in your days? We cats can go from relaxed to vigilant when needed but our ability to relax is what HELPS us sense danger (as well as fun). When do you feel most relaxed?

6) Being clean and clear about what I need means the human is more likely to be able to deliver. I have different ways of telling her I’m ready for food, going outside, coming back, being scooped up for cuddles and carried around the house and adored. Do your loved ones know how to make YOU happy? Do you understand what they need and want? Obviously, there”s not always going to be overlap but at least being able to mew what they can do gives me a better chance of a purrfect day…

7) Sometimes, we get stuck by looking at things in a certain way. I see things differently when I’m upside down or on the top of a doorframe to when I’m under the duvet or under a sofa. How can you change your perspective today? You might find some unexpected solutions. My human likes yoga as a way of seeing the same spaces differently and then getting a different take on her world…

8) The human shouldn’t have taken this pic. She DID check with me before sharing and I figured it’s OK. Just for you. But I have nothing to be ashamed of. And nor do YOU (and if you DO something you shouldn’t have, you can apologise and do better moving forwards. There’s nothing wrong with you). Let yourself BE. You don’t have to be purrfect to be adorable…

9) Think about what you want. I love pawsing to check in with what feels good in any given moment. Sun puddle to stretch out in? Tree to climb? The more you get used to asking yourself what you want and, when possible, DOING those things, the easier it’ll be to create a life that’s purrfect for YOU. Getting to know what makes you happy means you can do much more of those things…

Meow for now,

Rainbow MagnifiCat

What are you going to do today to be more cat?

What are you going to give yourself permission to want?

Feel free to email eve@selfcarecoaching.net

And feel free to share this post on your social media etc so others who may find it helpful can read it.

With love,

Eve Menezes Cunningham self care coach therapist supervisor

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