I’ve been going to therapy, regularly, since the beginning of the year. I can honestly say it’s one of the best things I have ever done for myself and my health.
Opening up to someone, a stranger, can be extremely daunting, you’re vulnerable, wide open. It can also be completely freeing and cathartic. Going inwards and figuring out why I feel the way I feel about things, what I can and can’t control and what I can let go of, what makes me happy and what doesn’t. Therapy has given me strategies to cope with my anxiety, it’s given me an understanding of what works for me and what doesn’t and how I can figure all of the in between out. It’s given me the courage to be vulnerable with the people around me and it’s allowed them to be vulnerable with me...is there a more beautiful expression of human connection?
Before I arrived at the realization that I wasn’t okay and that I needed support, more than what my husband and family could offer me I thought I was coping. Truth be told I was in denial, I kept thinking to myself I meditate, I eat well, I move my body, I’m in a loving relationship, I’m doing ALL of the things, but there were so many pieces missing. It took someone to hold a mirror up for me, to reflect back to me what I was feeling and allow me to put those feelings into words. I began to no longer feel trapped in my own mind, I could finally sleep again and after a little more time had passed I began to recognize myself again.
Instead of feeling consumed by my emotions I try to instead use them as my guide. Working on ourselves is a process, it’s a life long process. I absolutely know I have so much more to work on but that excites me now, instead of terrifying me, because the more I understand about myself the more I can understand others and create wonderful, wholesome relationships and simply just be happy.
The more we share about our own experiences with mental health the more we can shed light on such an important topic. There needs to be more awareness, more open and honest conversations, we all struggle and that’s simply life but you don’t have to do it alone.
This post is in no way to solicit sympathy. I know the past year has been big and weird for everyone. As always, I share what I do to bring awareness to topics that matter, that aren’t spoken about enough and if me being open about my experience gives someone else the courage to do the same then in my eyes that can only be good. I acknowledge how lucky I am to have access to a psychologist as I know not everyone does but if you do need someone to talk to please reach out to Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. As always I’m here if you need to reach out and take care of you x