Embracing Therapy: A Reflection of Healing and Self-Discovery
As I reflect on the past 40 years of my life, I’ve been through my fair share of transitions that included moving across the country, starting multiple businesses and becoming a Mom. Among the highs and lows, I’ve encountered my fair share of hurdles, grappling with the weight of generational trauma and the relentless pursuit of perfection. I wasn’t always in tune with my mental health and I wasn’t always open to therapy. I had my fair share of great therapists, but I struggled to get really raw and vulnerable with them. I would share what I thought they wanted to hear, or share ‘just enough’ to keep me feeling safe. It wasn’t until I fully embraced the vulnerability to really start to heal that therapy started to really pay off.
Therapy wasn’t just about finding solace in moments of distress; it became a transformative journey, guiding me towards healing and self-discovery. With the consistent support of my therapist, I started looking inward to untangle the knots of my past that ultimately helped me discover parts of myself I hadn’t realized I had quieted. It was a journey marked by introspection and courage, to some extent (I think to be truly vulnerable is super brave) as I navigated through painful and confusing memories, ultimately finding a sense of peace within myself.
One of the most profound revelations of therapy was its ability to dismantle the barriers of perfectionism that I had constructed around myself. For years, I had tirelessly pursued unattainable standards, driven by a fear of failure and a thirst for external validation. I struggled to feel worthy and I shrunk myself as a result. But, through therapy, I learned to embrace my imperfections as a fundamental part of my humanity. I learned that my level of productivity did not dictate my value. I learned that no person can deem me worthy, that was all inside of me – and I had to shift my mindset on what defined worthiness and enoughness.
Therapy equipped me with invaluable tools to navigate the complexities of parenthood and relationships. From communication strategies to boundary-setting techniques, I gained the skills necessary to cultivate meaningful connections with my children and loved ones. By prioritizing self-care, I found that I became a better parent, partner, and friend.
But perhaps the most significant outcome of therapy was the rediscovery of myself — not as a product of my past traumas or societal expectations, but as a whole and worthy individual. I learned to nurture my passions, embrace my quirks, and honor my own needs and desires. In doing so, I found a profound sense of liberation and fulfillment that had long escaped me. I started feeling ‘at ease’ in my life and work. It was such an unfamiliar feeling, I had lived in my anxiety and my constant state of overwhelm for such a long time.
My journey with therapy is ongoing, a continuous process of growth and self-discovery – I don’t think this work is ever ‘done’. I meet with my therapist bi-weekly and each session I am reminded of the genuine impact that showing up consistently has had on my life. It has been a journey of exploration, resilience, and, above all, self-love.
To those who may be hesitant to embark on their own therapy journey, I offer these words of encouragement: take that first step. Embrace the vulnerability: it’s the first step to really healing, whether is be generational trauma, overcoming imposter syndrome, or learning to accept things as they are. Trust in the process because you are deserving of it. And remember, you are not alone — support and guidance are available every step of the way!
In the end, therapy has been more than just a coping mechanism; it has been a catalyst for real transformation and a pathway to reclaiming my truest self. And for that, I am so grateful.
