It’s “Way-To-Go Wednesday”, your weekly reminder that small steps toward wellness are still steps! I have learned that sharing helps with healing, and healing is a requirement of wellness. So, today I am going to share a story with you: my story. I do this not only for my personal healing, but in the hopes that it will inspire you to do the same. The journey to wellness begins with one step. Let it begin today!
This week has been hard for me- not because of one thing in particular, but just because life can be hard. And often, it is so difficult to admit that truth. I struggled to focus and complete tasks. I literally found myself stopping in mid-activity to refocus my thoughts and emotions. Even after meditation, I just couldn’t quite pull my total self (mind, body, spirit) into alignment. My body only wanted to loaf around; my mind raced with everything from absolute horror to absolute joy; and my spirit longed for calm and cohesion. As I realized how all-over-the-place I was, instead of punishing myself even further, I let it happen. As long as the safety of myself and others was of no concern, I allowed myself to acknowledge and feel exactly what I was feeling. I overslept. I cried uncontrollably. I laughed. I ate ice cream…and cake. I didn’t finish my weekend to-do list. I turned my phone off. I did not cook dinner. I skipped my evening workout. And, guess what?! I made it through! The world did not fall apart. In fact, my world (mind, body, spirit) came together.
I want to share with you that it’s okay to have moments that are “out of whack”. What’s not okay is when we pretend that it doesn’t happen or we ignore those feelings. And what helped me even more was knowing that I wasn’t the only one. Knowing that I wasn’t the only parent, significant other, daughter, friend… human that was not having a good day. Knowing that it happens to everyone and hearing someone else say, “I’m not ok right now” removed the isolation and shame I felt for feeling less than myself.
I’m sharing my story with you just as someone shared theirs with me. You are not alone if you are feeling less than stellar. Remember that wellness also means listening to your body. Wellness is knowing when to stop and when to go. Remember, you always have the power to make a different choice. And, if nothing else, you’ve made it halfway through the week. Way-to-Go, you!
Perspectives Therapy Services is a multi-site mental and relationship health practice with clinic locations in Brighton, Lansing, Highland, Fenton and New Hudson, Michigan. Our clinical teams include experienced, compassionate and creative therapists with backgrounds in psychology, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, and social work. Our practice prides itself on providing extraordinary care. We offer a customized matching process to prospective clients whereby an intake specialist carefully assesses which of our providers would be the very best fit for the incoming client. We treat a wide range of concerns that impact a person's mental health including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, low self-worth, life transitions, and childhood and adolescent difficulties.