Katherine Cresswell was busy helping to plan people’s weddings at the start of the year. Here she explains why she has since turned her attentions to trying to heal people instead
Being a wedding planning is all well and good when there are plenty of nuptials to prepare for. It’s fair to say that ‘Savvy Wedding Planner’, Katherine Cresswell, has found herself with time on her hands this year – which has given her time to focus on other ways to help people instead.
The 42-year-old mother of two from Ipswich says: ‘I’d always loved weddings, and I got married a year and half before becoming a planner.
‘It’s just amazing to be able to help other people get ready for their big day. My real passion is helping people, and what better day to do it than on their wedding day?’
However, she adds, ‘weddings is a limited target audience.’ And let’s fact it, weddings have been subject to stringent limitations this year, with just 15 attendees allowed at present.
Katherine had already found herself heading in a holistic direction before the events of this year began to unfold. ‘I started getting into a more natural way of life around a year ago.’
She had lost my mum a few years before. ‘I got into having readings done, and that got me in touch with my spiritual side,. Last year Katherine was introduced to Debbi Chambers, a Universal Energy Channeler based in Claydon. Reiki healing is a gentle, effective treatment which is suitable for emotional and physical healing, for all ages. Katherine says: ‘It’s amazing – I’d recommend it to anybody because the first stage is healing yourself.
‘It’s fabulous. When you’ve been through stressful situations your body does react and autoimmune conditions are so linked to stress. I was on the cusp of being diagnosed with Lupus. It’s a kick up the bum you need to get a bit healthier – when you actually need to. Touch wood, apart from a lot of tiredness with two young children I’m feeling the best I have for years.’
Katherine adds: ‘If you look after yourself you can look after other people, especially now – there are so many people worried, stressed and anxious.
‘Literally before lockdown I was just starting my case studies in order to be qualified.’ And those case studies have found reiki healing most enlightening.
Katherine started a page on Facebook, called White Cloud Healing and Holistic Therapies, which aims to be a place of calm to escape the stresses of the day – she has had a great response.
‘During lockdown I have had some heartfelt messages from people thanking me for my positivity and compassion which has helped them through these past few months.’
In October she received her Reiki 2nd Degree Practitioners’ Certificate. And, in this socially distanced year, she can offer distance reiki healing. She explains: ‘You can be on the other side of the world because it’s all about channelling energy, tuning into that and tuning into the other person.’ For Katherine, it’s opened up a whole new world.’ Her plan is to offer a ‘pay as you feel’ service, ‘so those who really need it don’t miss out.’
And that’s not all. Katherine has started training again. ‘There’s another treatment/therapy, called Hoʻoponopono, which is Hawaiian and a very traditional method of cleansing and treating people. It’s a lot to do with forgiveness, very simple but very effective.’
This year has certainly given Katherine the time and the space to retrain. And she says: ‘I’ve actually found it quite nice to just be at home and appreciate what we’ve got and have time to work out what’s the best thing to do.
‘I’ve done lots of different courses – I’m looking at NLP as well. I’ve been doing a different course each week, whether it’s fitness or learning. I’m constantly feeding the mind and body.’
The wedding planning may be somewhat on hold, but she says: ‘I’m a big believer that everything happens at the right time for the right reason.’
It’s not been easy for anyone this year. Katherine says: ‘A lot of people have been struggling I’ve sent them message every week. There are some really simple techniques they can try.’ And this time of year is proving to be particularly difficult for all of us.
Katherine’s festive tips for 2020:
‘Tis the season to be jolly but it’s also a very difficult time for people. I’ve been there. For anyone who’s loved and lost, Christmas can be particularly tough, with all those memories flooding back, knowing it’s never quite going to be the same. But you have to always look forward and to look for the positives. Look at ways you can make your Christmas special and not get bombarded with the idea that you have to feel jolly and bright and all the time, because it doesn’t happen like that.
Get out and about in nature and be silly. Christmas is a time to get excited. If you choose to focus on the good you can make the most of it. Focus on the fun and the simple things. The main thing for me is Christmas Eve, getting home, chilling out, putting your feet up and eating pretty much what you like and just having fun and games. That’s what we need to do more of. Life can get all too serious and where’s the fun in that? Put a silly outfit on!
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