Relatable! Overanalyzing stuff definitely makes me feel worse at times and unfortunately “self growth” and “self care” has become a competitive sport especially on social media
I have had therapy on and off for years. The off periods can also last years. I think a break to get on with life and put into practice insights gained in therapy has been a good thing. I think the trick is knowing when you might need to start going again. For me a return has been prompted by parenting challenges.
I was late to the therapy game. Probably because I inherited a stigma from my parents that only "crazy" people went to therapy. I'm grateful the culture has shifted so much that I don't feel ashamed to say I need therapy. I need coaching. I need support. Getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Although after years of of seeking healing through alternative extreme measures - kambo, juice cleanses, sananga, plant ceremony, kundalini yoga, dietas, veganism - I do resonate with this conversation happening in the wellness zeitgeist; maybe now is the time for healing from healing?
This post is also sparking the wisdom of John O'donohue's book "Anam Cara" in my memory, wherein he speaks about spiritual non-interference and the soul's incredible ability to heal itself. It takes deep listening to discern what memories have and can heal without neon analysis; and that therapy can do some damaging work without this discernment. Kind of like picking at scabs, one's soul becomes scarred with unnecessary meddling.
Admittedly, I've picked some scabs, not in therapy, but in my writing process. Trying to create something interesting, I've pulled out the old skeletons of ex-boyfriends and betrayals that were soundly asleep. I notice I feel drained after this kind of writing, rather than satisfied. But I'm learning :)
Relatable! Overanalyzing stuff definitely makes me feel worse at times and unfortunately “self growth” and “self care” has become a competitive sport especially on social media
I have had therapy on and off for years. The off periods can also last years. I think a break to get on with life and put into practice insights gained in therapy has been a good thing. I think the trick is knowing when you might need to start going again. For me a return has been prompted by parenting challenges.
this is fascinating to think about - ive been having similar thoughts swirl around my brain about our collective obsession with therapy lately.
I was late to the therapy game. Probably because I inherited a stigma from my parents that only "crazy" people went to therapy. I'm grateful the culture has shifted so much that I don't feel ashamed to say I need therapy. I need coaching. I need support. Getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Although after years of of seeking healing through alternative extreme measures - kambo, juice cleanses, sananga, plant ceremony, kundalini yoga, dietas, veganism - I do resonate with this conversation happening in the wellness zeitgeist; maybe now is the time for healing from healing?
I'm appreciating Sophie Strand's essay, Healing: A Ghost Story. She creatively captures this breakup with healing. https://sophiestrand.substack.com/p/healing-a-ghost-story
This post is also sparking the wisdom of John O'donohue's book "Anam Cara" in my memory, wherein he speaks about spiritual non-interference and the soul's incredible ability to heal itself. It takes deep listening to discern what memories have and can heal without neon analysis; and that therapy can do some damaging work without this discernment. Kind of like picking at scabs, one's soul becomes scarred with unnecessary meddling.
Admittedly, I've picked some scabs, not in therapy, but in my writing process. Trying to create something interesting, I've pulled out the old skeletons of ex-boyfriends and betrayals that were soundly asleep. I notice I feel drained after this kind of writing, rather than satisfied. But I'm learning :)
Thanks Liz, really loved this piece!