The End of a Hard Year.
When the Year was Hard for EVERYONE. How To Reset.
As a trauma (Somatic EMDR Intensive) therapist, I hear the hardest stories, and not much surprises me anymore. I am not saying I don’t feel strongly about what I hear, but I think hearing the worst stories everyday does get to a person, even a highly trained person. Many people ask me how I hold it all, how do I take care of me. Well, for me, that is not what I concern myself with as much as how do I support my clients when everyone seems to be having that hardest year.
Prices of everything have risen to the highest I’ve seen as a Xennial. Everyone is feeling the tightening of the belt. One of the first things I’ve noticed is people stop going to therapy, as if it’s not healthcare and not necessary. Now, sometimes therapy is not necessary, but many times, we, out of avoidance, or just inability to handle anything outside of daily living, put off healing. If this is you, now shame from me. But how to reset if you are not in therapy or cannot afford therapy.
First, if you are dealing with suicidality, now is not the time to take off, find a therapist that you can afford or will work with you. During the year end, some symptoms like SI get worse. Please seek therapy. This is not to replace therapy, it is adjunct.
Focus on health of the body - move, dance, eat, sleep, socialize, make love, be present. The body holds so much all year long. Let go, make it a ritual everyweek, but at the end, use your body to let go.
Focus on being present - notice. I often tell my clients to just notice how they are showing up, that’s the knowledge they are often looking for, if you don’t notice your bodies shows up, then you will not be able to find the wisdom it offers.
Make plans, if that feels productive - some people thrive by making plans, others it completely overwhelms.
Do something for fun and not productive- more joy this year. Break the pattern of responsibility and do something you love.
My son added, take a shower or a bath. You deserve that nervous system reset.
Find a non-judgemental friend. Write out all your worst thoughts, unfiltered. Throw them away if they bring shame, or share them, shame loses power when spoken/written.
Happy Holidays! Here’s to a year of healing and abundance.
If you’re feeling alone this Winter, send me a message if you need some therapy, or coaching, I’m around and want to help. If it’s an emergency, call 988 or 911.
