So I broke up with my therapist this week. And by broke up, I mean I abruptly ended the session while smiling because that's my favorite thing to do when I'm uncomfortable. |
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I've struggled with body image issues for decades, and it was one of the things I wanted to work with her on. However, when I'd ask for ways to navigate accepting myself, she'd suggest ways to change myself like working out more or counting calories. She's even gone as far as saying a lot of people who are body positive “aren't her thing.” But apparently those red flags weren't enough for me to run for the hills, because I stayed with her for 4 months. FOUR MONTHS. Fast forward to this week when we were discussing how my body has permanently changed after kids. She looked me dead in the eye and suggested plastic surgery because she knew many people who've done it and are “very happy.” And I think my jaw had dropped on the floor because somehow I forgot how to speak. It was completely silent for what felt like an eternity. That's weird for a therapist to say to someone coming to her for body image issues right? I forced a nervous laugh and said, “Ya I don't think I'm going to do that.” And when she didn't respond, I started smiling. Smiling like a kid who was just asked to say cheese before a family picture. And when she still didn't say anything, I smiled some more. Omg what is wrong with me. Finally I said, “You know what? I'm doing so much better! I actually don't have anything else to say today, thank you!” I might as well have yelled, YOU'VE CURED ME THANK YOU WE'RE DONE HERE! We abruptly ended the session and I sat there starting at my laptop still smiling. Smiling like every time I've told a hairstylist I loved my hair and then went home and cried. WHY AM I THIS WAY? Needless to say, I'm looking for a new therapist. And I've now added “how to stop smiling in uncomfortable situations” to my list of things to work on. |
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Weekly fun fact you didn't ask for |
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*Last week's fun fact should've said PENGUINS not PIGEONS. I clearly have had birds on my brain for quite some time now, and here I am spreading fake news. |
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Powerful question I can't get out of my mind |
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Jay Shetty had Cynthia Erivo on his podcast recently and the topic hit home for me. I've been dragging my feet on something important, and this couldn't have come at a better time. The episode was a conversation around achieving your goals, and how to stop questioning your ability to achieve them. I haven't been able to stop thinking about a question her therapist asked her. She asked, “When you do something (or you eat something, or you buy something, or drink something..etc), ask yourself, are you loving yourself when you do that? And if the answer is yes, you've done a good job. And if the answer is maybe not, choose something different.” I found this to be such a simple yet powerful question. Loved her story about needing to redo her closet. It was a massive task, and she was completely overwhelmed telling herself she couldn't do it. Finally she said to herself, JUST START. This is something so simple, and yet such a good reminder. Sometimes the thought of completing something paralyzes us, and keeps us from starting. “Just start,” she says, “and take it one step at a time. If you just start, something will get done, even if it's something tiny. And then the next day you'll take another step…and another” |
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Weekly Community spotlight |
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I honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I asked you all for your “stories that would make others feel less alone.” A very small snippet is below, but click here for the full responses--Just a warning some are very heavy, I was sobbing. |
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Tweets that made me giggle |
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What you missed on Instagram |
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*thank you to everyone that always likes and comments on my posts, it helps me immensely, and I'm incredibly grateful. |
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Other things I loved this week |
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*This section contains affiliate links. That means, while it's the same price for you, I get a very small commission out of it that helps my family and me. |
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If you missed the meaning behind “Merci Ktir," click here. |
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