Compassionate Note to Self

I am blogging from work today, after finishing up a little chili for lunch, because I'm not sure I'll be able to blog from Panera this week. I don't have a text shift because Friday I am driving up to Montclair for a fabulous viewing of the play Vagina Monologues. I'm so excited. It's been a long time since I was an undergrad, enjoying the freeing feeling I got walking  back to my door after the show. Anyway, time is short this week, and I just ran a group on how to write your self a compassionate letter, so while my group members were diligently writing theirs, I wrote one for myself. When I figure out how to attach the article we read first, I'll do that. :). The task is as it sounds. You write a letter to yourself, expressing understanding in the emotions you are feeling/have been feeling, while still remaining rational in spite of those emotions. It's basically giving a voice to one's wise mind;

Dear Nicole,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you today with compassionate and sympathetic wishes. I know you've gone through a lot of situational and environmental changes lately, and that can be exhausting. It can be difficult trying to balance work tasks and goals, with goals in your personal life. It's exciting to learn that your LPC application was approved; however, that can serve as an added stressor and pressure as well. It might even bring up some resistance because this will trigger some insecurities you have about private practice and how competent you are in your role as therapist. You might feel pressure to align yourself with a certain treatment modality, when you find that you see value in applying most of them. This is a lot to think about. Maybe while someone is studying, you can unearth your old theories book, or look up articles on the recent application of therapeutic approaches. If there is a demand for couples counseling, identify a session outline for what a "curriculum" would look like. These are things that can focus your anxious energy and the result can be the development of the next steps for you. You like feeling prepared. Remember that feeling. Knowing what you're walking in with, even when you don't know what's waiting for you. The best you can do is offer what you have. It is up to the clients to respond or not. You are not (and don't have to always be) the end-all, be-all. Everyone has options. Including you. You can always switch gears and research who might be a better fit for them. Basically, keep in mind that so far, you have been able to handle the changes you have made. And you can do it again. I'm proud of you and I anxiously wait to see what comes next!
Much love,
Your Compassionate Self

Anyway, it was super helpful because without it being planned at all, whatsoever, I ended up finding a new short term goal to keep me from feeling aimless about my new job prospects! It was super cool. Also I'm a geek for this nonsense so there's that...
Enjoy the rest of your day. I'm going to go set some goals and reward myself with food. ;).
Today I'm Nicole; 8:30-5p.