Session #2: Do you need therapy?
Are my problems severe enough to seek for a professional? Continue reading and find out.
In my last post, I talked about being true to myself and learning how to listen to other’s opinions while keeping my integrity. I’ve been thinking about these ideas for the last two weeks because I feel I am in the process of becoming. Becoming Eileen. Eileen at 42 years old. Okeeey writing it down makes me feel more empowered. Makes it real.
So, an integral part of this process is having people who can help me see myself with neutral eyes. What does this mean? Well, I don’t know if this happens to you, but when I am in my head, overthinking things (any overthinkers out there?) it is hard to identify my value and my strengths. Because when you overthink, your mind begins creating all the worst possible outcomes of what you are thinking about. And all that thinking makes me doubt my own ideas. It’s like a vicious circle.
I was listening to Mel Robbin’s podcast today, and in the episode she said that everyone, EVERY person on this planet, needs therapy and mental health support. Let me unwrap that idea. You can decide to try to fix your issues by yourself. If we think about men especially, they are most of the time reluctant to seek help and say they can fix their problems alone (or in the worst case, they say there is nothing to fix…). There is a stigma about doing therapy, as if it meant failure or that you are crazy or sick. Maybe you’ve heard that they will fix things by meditating, but even meditation can help someone to one extent. In cases of depression, meditation can even become harmful and make the condition worsen. Having a counselor or psychologist is really helpful because it is a trained, neutral look over your problems, and you don’t have to worry about hurting their feelings or dealing with judgment.
Judgment is one of the top reasons why people don’t talk about their problems. They prefer to keep all that baggage deep inside, creating a volcano of emotions that will erupt someday. We don’t want that. We don’t need to do that. If you have access to a counselor or any kind of professional, please do it. You will get positive things from talking with someone about your stuff. I do it, and it has helped me so much throughout my life. I can talk to her about everything, and I never worry about what she would think if I say this… or if she will tell someone else. It is a free space where I can express myself, and by talking about myself, I get to know myself deeply.
I also talk with my sisters and very close friends. They know me, they love me, and they want the best for me. That could bias their advice for me, but it also makes them a reflection of my best version. Don’t you have a friend who always tells you how great you are? or how great you dress? or how incredible is your way of handling your life? And from your end, you think, am I really that great?… YES! you are!! But we have so much noise in our own heads that we can’t see it. We focus on the negatives. So, my friends and loved ones are the people who help me see my strengths and value myself for what I am to them. It’s a mirror, a beauty mirror created by their love for me. And I am accepting that, and I take their beautiful words with me to strengthen my self-love.
So, if today you needed someone to talk to or you needed those kind words, here they are: You are incredible! there is no one else on the planet that can be you, and there are many people around you that can wait to hear from you or see you in the following days. You are creating a beautiful life filled with learning moments that are enriching your soul. You got this 100%, and I believe in you!
And thank you for reading today.
See you soon.
Shine Bright
Eileen
