The End of an Era

Do you feel the world is ending? Okay it’s not ending, but the decade is. Everyone is making a big deal about the end of a decade as we approach 2020. I don’t know about you, but milestones make me depressed. Another momentous occasion to look back and wonder what have I done with my life, did I do enough, did I make it worth it? And then I see the future looming, oh geez we’re closing out a decade how to I honor it with enough celebration and do it exactly right to get the most out of it? I wonder what everyone else is doing, am I doing it right, what if I don’t do absolutely everything and then I miss this giant opportunity and I won’t have another chance for ten years?

Or is that just me?

I feel like time is moving way too fast. Too fast to sit and plan and do everything right. I keep telling my friends all I want to do is hide under the covers until it’s 2020. I don’t have the time, energy or desire to do much of anything. I casually took a month off blogging, and you know what, I needed that. We all deserve to take breaks and give ourselves rest when the time calls. Release the pressure, just let it go. I did just see Frozen 2, which I will say was not as catchy as the “Let it go” era of Frozen one, but had some very cool nods to traditional elements and nature spirits. But back to the task at hand, although my Frozen escapade is kind of related. Sometimes I take myself to movies on weekdays. Before work, before I do much of anything with my day. I like to mix it up. I need joy in my life. And when I am in need of joy I give it to myself.

I guess this is one of the problems I see. We are all so hesitant to give ourselves a break or give ourselves what we want to feel joyful out of fear of doing the right thing or being “enough.” I just don’t have the energy to care anymore. I only have one life. I only have these hours to feel and relax and enjoy. I’m not going to lay on my death bed and think wow if only I had planned more and worked harder. No I am going to remember the times I played hooky and stayed out late with my friends.

When I look back on the past decade I do see a lot of hard work and dedication. In the last decade I became a legally recognized adult, went to school for two degrees, got my first full time job, became licensed in my field, and lastly started my own private practice. That’s actually a lot. From turning 18 in my parents house to moving states alone to an all new city on a whim and working for myself. I think I might actually be proud when I look at it that way.

So maybe I would recommend looking back at all that you have done, and all you have accomplished over these ten years. Because I am sure it is more than you realize and definitely more than you ever stop to give yourself credit for. And worry less about doing everything “right” or meeting other people’s expectations of you. I always feel so much pressure when people ask if I have “big plans” or “what did you do this weekend?” I lived, how about you? And living for me can be staying in with Harry Potter every night and snuggling my cat. Because that brings me joy and leaves me content. It doesn’t have to be a big show, something flashy for Instagram so everyone else approves that my life is enough.

My life is enough because it is mine. Because I choose it and I follow my heart and my desires. And your life is enough too. Exactly as you are, doing what you’re meant to be doing in this moment. And if you’re not there yet, there’s always next year. Who cares if moving decades looks like a big deal on paper. I don’t remember anyone saying anything about the shift from 2009 to 2010, and my life was just fine. I’m going to take this shift in stride and hold out for the next decade to make a big hoopla about it.

Or maybe I’ll just hide under my covers then too.

Drop the Baggage

For this full moon in Aries I heard a lot about dumping your baggage. Letting go of the past, “you can’t take it with you,” into this new future. That hit me hard. I am the sentimental type. The emotional hoarder, hard to let go, will cling to people or things years past their expiration date in my present life. I am struggling with this right now! Learning to let the past be in the past and knowing I can’t have it with me and live fully with all the gifts of future possibilities. 

Today I’m making a rather odd post, and it might come off choppy and random. Part of my “baggage” is old website copy. As someone who is currently growing and developing, in a constant change state to identify what most represents me and shedding what doesn’t, I have updated my website a lot. As in at least three total overhauls and countless iterations of how things are formatted, located, and written. In that process I’ve cut out loads of words. Words that hold meaning to me. That represent who I am and express the work I want to be doing. So in support of this process, to release the old, while valuing it’s gifts, I am putting all the things left unsaid from my website here. All the messages I want my readers to know, and more information than they may have wanted through browsing my site. Here goes!

Do you ever wonder who am I? Where is the joy in my life? What is the point in life, what is my purpose? It is time to reconnect to yourself and start living. Today we are more active and busy than ever, yet we have no time to just be. We lose touch with ourselves, our emotions, our deepest, most natural needs. Through this separation from self we grow despondent, depressed, and isolated. There is hope, you can regain your happiness and learn how to take care of yourself. We can begin to open up, share our emotions, and learn how to cope with negative feelings. Everything you need already exists inside of you ready to be discovered.

A lot of sadness comes from a lack of feelings, rather than being unable to control our feelings. In order to gain control, we must first recognize and allow our emotions to have their place. In my work my primary audience is teenagers, adults at a transition point, and women. I am most experienced with depression and suicidal ideation or existential crisis. My passion as a counselor is helping my clients access their emotions so they can process, express, and move forward in life. Our feelings are our greatest ally, they are one of our superpowers! Feelings are meant to be felt, not avoided.

Therapy is a collaborative process and no one knows you better than yourself. I can offer my pearls of wisdom and analysis, but at the end of the day the answers to all your problems lie within. We all have the answers we need inside, sometimes we just need some support and help navigating those waters. Now is the time to turn things around. It’s never too late, or too early, to get your life on track. To find a deeper meaning and purpose in your life. Listen to your heart’s calling and find your true passion. Together we can unearth your truth, passion and freedom from the symptoms that are currently holding you back.

I believe in fate and destiny and the universe bringing us all together. If you’re reading this, then life has brought us together. Most likely you are struggling in some way or know that your life could be better. Maybe you’re searching for meaning, wanting to make a change or adapting to a big change you just made. Perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out and exhausted running the rat race we call life. Let me help you learn to slow down, love yourself and discover the dream life you’re so excited to start.

I was called into the mental health counseling field when I was young and my path has led me right here. I love astrology, coffee, and snuggling with my cat. The ocean is my happy place and I need regular check-ins with nature to reset. I’m an introverted homebody and I practice meditation daily. With unconditional positive regard and authentic presence we will discover what motivates you and brings you joy. 

Clients will be most successful with me when:

You are willing and ready to change

Excited to dive deep into the beliefs and feelings that are holding you back without fear

Want to analyze your thought patterns and release what is no longer serving you

Prepared to follow a clear path to accomplish your goals

Have a desire for healing in a supportive, helping atmosphere

Well there you have it! Here is my word baggage that I am going to leave behind, in this post, without regret. I won’t long or mourn for it, wondering if someday I can fit it back on my site. I won’t feel guilty I spent time and energy writing each word or wishing I could share it. I have shared it. I’ve put it out into the ethers and that is where it shall stay. Not weighing me down or getting between me and the next brilliant thing I’d like to write. Only forward now, time to welcome the new and step into the future. We’ve harvested, we’ve released, and now we’re ready for the deep work. Change is coming! Allow the remainder of this full moon energy to support you in leaving the past in the past and preparing for the future.