My heart is back on track
A little over a year ago I had a rather significant moment of self-reflection. I realized that more often than not I was feeling tired, sad, scared, overwhelmed, trapped and quite hopeless. The bad days were now more common than the good days. My sleep was not leaving me feeling rested. In fact, many mornings I was waking up way too early with a flood of anxiety hitting me right in the chest. I could feel my heart pounding and my stomach was in knots. I often laid in bed doing my deep breathing and meditation for sometimes more than two hours before I got out of bed. I knew those days were going to be rough as I was already running on empty. That anxiety just added to my situation. It was a vicious cycle and I couldn't see how it was going to stop. In no way was this sustainable.
I started working with my primary care doctor. She recommended certain vitamins and herbs which I began to take faithfully. That helped, but I knew deep down that I needed more. I decided to take the leap that most people resist. I researched therapists nearby and began the process of vetting them until I found the one that seemed to align with my needs. I remember the first visit. It was at the beginning of COVID so we met virtually. Overall, it went well. I felt a positive connection. We touched on quite a bit of what I was experiencing and made a plan for next steps which included weekly visits. I really needed things to change so I went in full force.
When I look back now, that first step of seeking a therapist was the best thing I ever did. I sought the help of an expert that could see things objectively, ask the right questions and be the extra eyes and ears that I needed. One step at a time, I was able to transform my path forward and found the courage and healing that I never knew I had in me. My whole life shifted in amazing ways and I was able to uncover patterns and beliefs that were obstacles in my way. It took time to undo the woven web inside me. However, it literally felt like I came back to life.
Let me just say it - Never be ashamed of seeking help. Never!
If your heart wasn't beating right, you had chronic headaches or your knee was constantly aching, you would seek immediate help from a doctor. So take that same approach with your mental well being. You have the right to feel fantastic every single day of your life. More than ever, people are seeking support from therapists. Don't let anything stand in your way if that is what will help you feel better. If you're feeling reluctant to seek support:
Ask yourself why. Are you afraid of how you will be seen? Are you concerned with possibly needing to take medicine? Once you figure out why you are averse to the idea, you can move forward.
Use anonymous help lines. Take advantage of this option to connect with trained counselors that can help guide you in the right direction. They may even be able to put you in touch with the organizations that you need. There is no pressure and you'll find that it can make you much more inclined to talk about getting the help that you need.
Ask around. Check in with your friends or family to see if they have any recommendations on therapists that they may know. If that isn't an option, you can utilize on line resources or conduct your own search for the right therapist for you (just like I did).
Make your mental health a priority regardless of what is happening in your life. You have the right to live each day feeling your best. That moment in my life when I decided to seek support was pivotal. Not only is my heart back on track, but my life has unfolded in the most magical ways. Now it's your turn!