Why Growing By Degrees?

Since 2007 I have been working on myself and Growing By Degrees is a reflection of my passion for development and growth of all kinds

Hi There,

Let me introduce myself, My name is Cerian, which is a welsh name and confuses most people who try to pronounce it.

I immigrated to Canada from the UK which may explain some of my alternative spellings as I drift between Canadian, English, and American.

I share my life with my husband of 26 years, and a 13 year old furbaby who I need no encouragement to talk about.

Oh,if you got this far, my name sounds like Ker-ee-an.

My journey

In 2010, After a lifetime of feeling like a square peg in a round hole, I decided to stop trying to be all things to all people, and to fit a preconceived mould. I decided to be ME. Since 2007 I have been working on myself and Growing By Degrees is a reflection of my passion for development and growth of all kinds. Part of this passion is also sharing and educating others about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

  • Group of people at office party.
    Surviving the Holidays with S.A.D. – 2025 Edition
    You don’t have to make December look like a holiday advert. Be gentle with yourself, put your needs first, and remember that a quiet night in is every bit as seasonal as a loud one out. And if in doubt, there’s always room for a nap and a bit of pie.
  • Finding Calm and Order in Gloomy Weather
    Struggling with winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder? Discover easy winter routines to boost your mood and bring order to your day. Find cosy tips, small self-care wins, and gentle advice for making the season feel a little brighter—perfect for anyone looking for support with SAD, RSAD, or those just needing a lift through the darker months. Stay connected and inspired with relatable guidance for beating the winter gloom.
  • Wooden letter blocks spelling "CONFIDENCE" are arranged among scattered blocks. Below, the quote "Self-confidence is contagious."—Stephen Richard highlights the importance of believing in oneself and its ripple effect on those around you.
    What Is Self-Confidence?
    t can be hard to feel confident sometimes. It’s like this magical thing that sometimes feels amazing and other times it’s just frustrating. But don’t worry, you don’t need any crystals to build up your self-confidence. It’s simple- you can start by recognizing that confidence is a skill that you can learn. You set a goal and take small steps each day to work towards it.
  • Two people are seated, embracing their daily routine with coffee cups in hand. One holds a white cup and saucer, the other a disposable cup with a lid and sleeve. They're on a bench against a brick wall, dressed in brown-toned clothing—ready to rise and shine into productivity.
    Rise and Shine: 3 things I do every day.
    Struggling with the winter blues or feeling out of sync during the sunny months? Use my mantra that to transform your daily routine and boost your mood. In “Rise and Shine: A Simple Mantra for Brighter Days,” learn how three easy steps—Get up, get dressed, get out—can help you navigate the challenges of Seasonal Affective Disorder and embrace the healing power of natural light. Join me as I explain why this helps me.
  • A woman with her hand on her chin looks contemplative.
    All You Wanted to Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder
    Do you know what Seasonal Affective Disorder is? If not, read on to learn more about this common condition and what you can do to support those who are struggling.