I had to take some time to process and heal.

So, as you may have noticed I’ve been MIA for the last few months, or maybe you didn’t and that’s ok. I think we are all in our own little bubble these days, but I feel guilty about it. Like many of you, this pandemic has been hard on me. I lost two friends who meant the world to me and I couldn’t be with their families to grieve. I saw two of my friends lose their sons and again I couldn’t be there for them. I couldn’t hold them, I couldn’t sit with them, I have truly never felt so helpless. Then the deaths of Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd and the political unrest was overwhelmingly painful to watch and take in. And let’s add to that the fact that I’m still chugging along in my counseling classes.

Which for those of you who have not been through a counseling program if it’s done right and you’re in the right place it is just as challenging as being in counseling if not more. There’s a lot of growth that happens in those classrooms and I spent the summer quarantined and taking an assessment class, an advocacy class, and a multicultural class all via zoom. My emotions were so raw this summer that I cried at just about every zoom meeting. I was feeling the frustration, the fear, and pain that our nation is going through, and with the loss of friends and being isolated it took a toll on me. So, what did I do? I doubled down on appointments with my therapist and I focused on self-care and I leaned on others and I set boundaries. I did shadow work, I got outside as much as I could, I planted a garden, I played with my granddaughter. I took time to myself and I allowed myself to walk through the pain. I allowed myself to be vulnerable. I didn’t hold anything back from anyone, and now I am coming out of it. I’m coming out of that dark lonely place and I am rising again. This time stronger. This time more focused. So, get ready. I’m back and I’ve got a lot to say.

If you’re still in that dark place and struggling to get out keep moving forward my friend. Contact a therapist, take time for yourself, and allow yourself time to process, grieve, and heal because you will emerge in the end. I promise you will.

So, tell me how have you been holding up during this time of pain and turmoil? Are you holding up? Do you need to refocus and recollect yourself?

Stay Safe. Stay Strong. And VOTE!!