Despina Nicola

It started with silence. Not the comforting kind that settles in after a long day, but the loaded, tense kind – the silence that fills the space between two people who ...

What if the very thing you’ve spent your life trying to avoid – your deepest pain – is also your greatest teacher? For many of us, trauma is something we try ...

If there’s one thing I’ve come to believe about relationships, it’s that the real secret to improving their quality lies in love, patience and openness. It’s ...

There are times in life when change doesn’t knock politely – it storms in and rearranges everything. For me, that moment came when I made the difficult but heartfelt decision ...

Ageing is a quiet unfolding – a slow and dignified process that brings with it not only physical change but a deepening of wisdom, memory and presence. As I reflect on ...

Did you know your brain has a hidden superpower, one that can transform your life? The secret lies in how you handle discomfort. Neuroscience reveals that facing challenges daily strengthens ...

By Despina Nicola For years, John found himself caught in a cycle that many people struggle with: the allure and addiction of smoking. At first, he picked up cigarettes casually, ...

In a quaint suburban town, Emma and Tom had what seemed like the perfect life. After nearly a decade of marriage, they had built a comfortable life with their daughter, ...

Jane’s transformation story began with a profound loss that changed her life forever. Years before her struggles with weight gain and negative habits, she faced the heart-wrenching reality of ...

Habits shape our lives in ways we often don’t fully realise. Known as the father of positive thinking, Norman Vincent Peale once said, “Repetition of the same thought or ...

I first met Thomas when we were children, playing in the park in our neighbourhood. Even back then it was clear that he was different to other kids. While the ...

Karangahape Road in Auckland, New Zealand, is infamous for its vibrant nightlife and its dark underbelly of the sex trade. Strip joints and streetwalkers are often hidden in plain sight. ...

Gender roles of the ancient past ensured the continuity of the tribe. DESPINA NICOLA looks at what this means for modern relationships Deep down, we all have the same ancient ...

Transformation, redemption, and the power of community I am a firm believer that supportive and compassionate relationships, especially when your life has become unmanageable, can put you on the right ...

DESPINA NICOLA looks at the power of vulnerability and seeking help In the modern educational landscape there’s a strong emphasis on fostering independence, problem-solving skills and self-reliance in students. ...

DESPINA NICOLA outlines how to discover truth and transformation through Plato’s Cave As a life coach, I firmly believe that the journey towards personal growth and enlightenment begins with ...

Break out of the negative habits that have sometimes been drilled into us since childhood says DESPINA NICOLA Investing in self-care can often bring up unpleasant feelings about the way ...

If you are feeling demoralised, a simple tool invoking a mother’s love could help says DESPINA NICOLA Many live out their lives in the hope of being rescued by ...

If you are stuck in a rut, there are exercises that can lift you out of it says DESPINA NICOLA Last Sunday while out with my friend, I noticed how ...

It is possible to overcome dependency says DESPINA NICOLA, one small step at a time There are no primary reasons why dependencies occur. Many times, the dependent can’t control ...

We’ve all had success on a diet for a couple of weeks before the pounds begin to pile on again. Don’t be disheartened says DESPINA NICOLA but grab ...

While it is easy to judge, it will only harm your own wellbeing says DESPINA NICOLA Our learned patterns are anchored beliefs from childhood. We view them as facts. We ...

Accepting your faults as part of who you are can turn them to your advantage says DESPINA NICOLA Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that I would be ...

Even if low expectations have been programmed in since childhood, it is possible to adopt a brighter outlook and succeed says DESPINA NICOLA Children are like recorders, downloading material that ...