Can you believe we are already in the final chapter of the year?
December is often a month of mixed emotions. It is a season of celebration and gathering, but for many of us, it is also a time when we feel the weight of the past eleven months. It is time to look back at the journey you’ve travelled to acknowledge the challenges you’ve overcame, the growth you’ve achieved, and the emotions you’ve carried along the way. Reflection isn’t just about looking at the past; it is about clearing space for the future.
A Gift for Yourself, Your Loved Ones and Your Colleagues
To support you in closing this year with clarity, we have prepared a digital Year-End Reflection Journal. This journal helps you review and gain perspective on every critical area of your life, including your mental well-being, health, relationships with family and friends, self-care habits, spirituality, and your career path. It’s not just about looking back—this valuable resource also includes a dedicated Planner Section to help you set clear, achievable intentions for the new year.
Self-Care is Not Selfish
The term Self-Care has become widely discussed in recent years. While many recognize the importance of taking a moment for themselves, we believe it’s vital to explore its deeper meaning.
What is Self-Care?
Self-Care is not a trend or a luxury, it is an intentional, chosen set of actions you take to proactively support and maintain your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is consistently dedicating time to recharge before you reach a state of complete depletion and burnout. This is not an act of “selfishness”, it is a non-negotiable necessity.
A Warm Welcome from the International Community
Following our announcement last month about joining the International Association for Counselling (IAC), we have another reason to celebrate!
We were honoured to be the featured member in the IAC’s latest newsletter. We sincerely appreciate the warm welcome they have extended to us as we join this global community of professionals.
If you’d like to see our feature, click the link.
Reflection on 2025 – Seit Mate Swe
2025 has been quite a year for Counselling Corner. Our free of charge program called “Seit Mate Swe” has been expanding a lot in 2025 and each month, thousands of Myanmar people talk with our Seit Mate Swe counsellors throughout the country to explore their own emotions which leads to an improved mental health situation. Talking and sharing emotions is one of the fundamental approaches to becoming mentally stronger, and we are proud that the Seit Mate Swe programme is supporting people across the country who cannot afford commercially provided services.
Seit Mate Swe continues to offer training as well as free individual counselling sessions and group workshops and we welcome organisations to contact us for support: seitmateswe2@gmail.com
Mandalay earthquake, thoughts from the Counselling Room
In the beginning of 2025, Myanmar was shaken by a severe earthquake in the Mandalay region and the impact was devastating. Counselling Corner reacted swiftly and send emergency teams to support first aid responders as well as victims and within a few weeks we opened a dedicated counselling centre in Mandalay.
The earthquake left deep, invisible scars. In the counselling room, survivors have shared their struggles, their memories, and their fears. Over the past months, our counsellors in Mandalay, Yangon, other regions, and online have captured these experiences and reflected on what they reveal about healing, trauma, and resilience:
Many survivors feel stuck, reliving the events of 28 March. Everyday triggers—dust, mortar smells, darkness, or confined spaces—bring back fear and anxiety. Sleep is often just three or four hours a night, making work and school nearly impossible. Some have lost jobs; others struggle to focus.
Escape stories differ: some crawled through debris, others were rescued by strangers or loved ones. But all carry emotional wounds that take time, care, and support to heal. Children are particularly vulnerable, which is why Counselling Corner runs programs like “Play Date” to help them process emotions through play and relaxation.
Trauma is not weakness: it is a natural response to extreme stress. Survivors may avoid certain places, fear talking about what happened, or feel guilt for having survived. Yet revisiting these memories is essential to heal. One teenager, for example, regained confidence after three counselling sessions that helped her overcome the trauma that had caused bladder and bowel control problems. Two children in Inle Lake developed severe panic attacks and needed ongoing support.
Nearly 5,000 people died in the earthquake, and tens of thousands lost loved ones without saying goodbye. Survivors wrestle with grief, guilt, and the question: can I mourn, or should I just be grateful to be alive? Families and friends also struggle to know how to help those who withdraw emotionally.
Counsellors are also seeing people with relationship issues, substance abuse, gambling problems, and suicidal thoughts. Talking about emotions is crucial for healing, yet many fear it. They have been taught to “keep emotions to yourself,” worry about being seen as weak, or feel burdened by survivor guilt.
These stories are not unique to Mandalay. Across Myanmar, the ongoing crisis creates similar struggles every day. Healing is possible, but it takes understanding, patience, and support.
Gift for Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Reflective Journal
Journaling is the art of pouring your internal thoughts, feelings, and experiences onto paper, transforming them into words or symbols to better understand yourself. Taking a moment to write down your inner thoughts acts as a much-needed “breathing space” for your mind. This journal is designed to help you deepen your understanding of your inner self, manage your emotions effectively, and gain mental clarity. Watch how Reflective Journal works. To purchase, call or send a Viber message to 09969054978.
Memory Game
Healing can also be playful. Featuring a wide range of emotions, this game helps players become more in tune with their feelings. It promotes Self-Awareness and encourages the open expression of emotions. Suitable for both adults and children, this game is a wonderful tool for building connection and fostering Empathy, helping us better understand and relate to the feelings of others. Watch how to play Memory Game.
To purchase, call or send a Viber message to 09969054978.
The Gift of Wellness
The Counselling Corner Gift Card is an excellent way to support your loved ones’ well-being and personal growth. This gift card is more than just a gift, it is an act of kindness for their mental health and showining how you care about them.
To purchase, call or send a Viber message to 09969054978.
Free 30-Minute Mental Health Consultation
We are offering free 30-minute consultations to help you navigate life’s challenges. Join our experienced counselors for a pressure-free chat to gain clarity and relief. Sessions are available every Monday in Yangon and every Tuesday in Mandalay.
May you find the time to rest, reflect, and recharge for the new year ahead.
Warmly, The Counselling Corner Team