Originally Published on October 5, 2015 via WordPress
Do you ever enjoy something so much, even though it simultaneously has components of it that SUCK? Sometimes there's just no way around it. That's how I feel about writing... and about doing therapy.
As a human being, I’ve learned time and time again that it’s both terrifying and profoundly rewarding to expose one’s most authentic self. Sharing who you really are can make you want to crap yourself with fear. I have always found writing my thoughts down to be calming and freeing; however, having other people see my inner reflections scares me shitless. So why am I doing it?
One of the coolest part of my job as a psychologist is that I get to help people practice being real (of course, I generally don't lead with the "wanting to crap yourself" metaphor). I get to witness the healing and cathartic benefits that result from a trusting environment. Sometimes, that means getting people to cry who, for whatever reason, don't want to let themselves. Sometimes, it's helping them tap into their innermost demons, shine light on their darkest shadows of fear and pain, the things that keep them awake at night or cause them to binge-eat chips from the bag or drink too many beers. The things that make them lash out at or withdraw from the people they love. For better or worse, the inner demons don't usually go away without us having to watch them bear their fangs at some point. Helping people feel brave enough to do this is, hands down, my favorite part of my work... but I also hate it because I KNOW how much it SUCKS in the moment. Confronting the shame in myself is also the most difficult part of the job... but it's also the ONLY way to be an effective therapist. Like in any profession, it can be incredibly tough to practice what we preach. Call me cheesy... but I believe that's how we know it's something worth doing.
That's why I'm starting this blog, despite feeling terrified of all the haters out there in the world and on the Internet who might read it and think I'm a fool or what not. Or worse, how silly I feel thinking my blog would even attract haters who cared enough to have an opinion!
I think we are all spiritually thirsty and blowing in the wind. I hope you'll join me as I regularly reflect on being human, having feelings, and living a rich and rewarding and wonderfully messy life.
Feel free to comment... what's something you find worthwhile, even if it makes want to crap yourself with fear?