Sunday News #59
Feeling
I’ve been feeling a little bit sad this week. I had to say goodbye to my amazing therapist, Doug. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he’s moving his skills to the state mental hospital and will no longer be doing private practice.
When I say Doug changed my life, I really mean I’m still alive because of him. If you’ve been following my blog for long, then you know I’ve been in therapy off and on since I was 16 to treat a myriad of problems–depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, PTSD from sexual trauma, etc. However, it wasn’t until I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in 2020 and spent a week in the hospital in March 2021 for overdosing on lithium that my psychiatrist and therapist at the time recommended I find a DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) program.
Thanks to Doug and the skills I learned in DBT, I’m no longer diagnosable with BPD or PTSD. I still deal with depression and anxiety, but not to the same extent I did before DBT. I also don’t need therapy as much as I did.
I’m going back to my previous therapist, Parker. I actually really adore Parker. I just needed Doug more at the time.
Blogging
Here’s what I posted on the blog this week:
Reading
I listened to Neil Patrick Harris’ memoir CHOOSE YOUR OWN AUTOBIOGRAPHY this week. You can click the link above to read my review if you’re interested.
I’ve made a lot of progress on rereading SUNRUNNER’S FIRE by Melanie Rawn. I’m pretty sure I’ll finish it today or tomorrow. I’m also listening to HELLO, TRANSCRIBER by Hannah Morrissey.
Listening
Corey and I saw INSIDE OUT 2 this week and the theme song has been on my mind for most of the week.
Watching
Like I said above, Corey and I saw INSIDE OUT 2 this week. I loved it! Both movies are a subtle nod to what I learned in DBT. Sometimes our emotions can take over and cause us to act irrationally. As we get older, our emotions become more complex and harder to manage. We can learn to use our core sense of self (or our Wise Mind in DBT vernacular) to challenge our emotions and act more rationally. Emotions aren’t bad; we just need to learn to not let them take over.
Loving, Wanting, Needing
I have some really cute planters. I’ve been wanting to get plants for them. However, I know I’ll forget to water them because I keep them out of reach from my cats. Out of sight, out of mind. I’ve also tried succulents and killed them too. I decided the best option for me would be to crochet amigurumi plants. I’m in love with the cute little succulent I made for my 1.5-inch pot. Isn’t it cute?
Next, I want to make some cactuses and flowers for my other planters. I just need to decide the color and style.
How was your week? Anything exciting happen?
I can understand why saying goodbye to Doug would be hard. It sounds like he came into your life at just the right time. I am glad you will be able to continue therapy with your former therapist and that he was also someone you work well with. That can make all the difference. We loved Inside Out 2 also. It was so good! I listened to a podcast recently by Dr. Lisa Damour and Dr. Dacher Keltner about their involvement as consultants on the movie, which I enjoyed. I hope you have a great week!
Thank you so much! 😀 I really appreciate it.
That’s really cool that Pixar consulted with a couple of psychologists so that the emotions would seem more realistic. It makes me like the movies even more now.