I understand why Woody Allen has spent so much film time having characters talk about their psychoanalysts. I do, I understand. A person thinks about her issues all day, anyway, unless of course one of those issues is all about ignoring the other issues. The characters discuss it because talking to an analyst opens the flood gates. At that point not only is she thinking about said issues, but now she has been given permission to talk about them. This, combined with an unflinching ear and the tender encouragement of active listening creates a whole new genre of Too Much Information.
Additionally, talking about therapy not only vents the tiny gremlins rummaging around in the soul, but provides the opportunity to communicate a lot about who you are as a person. You are admitting that yes, you do have flaws, they might even be Issues or Problems. By saying you go to therapy you are also announcing that while you might have these Issues or Problems, you are also a Brave Warrior who is not afraid of the Process. You get shock value of airing your grit, and to feel smug about all the Progress you've made. You're also saying that you're loaded, or really good at saving Christmas money*, and you have enough free time to break routine to truck across town to sit on someone elses couch for an hour.
I'm actually a huge fan of therapy. Most people are anywhere between moderately and profoundly messed up, and I think by talking to a professional instead of projecting it into other avenues of life will really open Facebook up to its intended purpose, which is reposting puppy videos. Perhaps the world, but most certainly Trader Joes, would be a much better place if people could be just a little more self-aware.
In San Francisco we don't just see analysts, we have Life Coaches. We are mushy Left-Coast liberals. Feeling words are not enough. We need to envision colors and be concerned about what our own personal energy is contributing to the life-force of the universe. We can't just have someone listen to us, we need to know that they are on our side and holding our hand. Two of my favorite things, self-deprecation and narcissism, are brought together in a glorious constellation with being coddled and over-validated.
And this is precisely why I love it. My life coach is supportive and encouraging and aces at the guided meditation. Really, I'm not just saying it: I think I really am making some Progress.
All of this is to introduce, to explain, and legitimate the next story.
One of the "homework assignments" is to write 20 things I love about myself, everyday. Twenty. Twenty things that I don't just think are a-okay, but I actually love. It is really hard. Don't get me wrong, it isn't actually challenging to think of things that I like about myself. That's actually easy enough. The hard part that by admitting these things, I am cementing just how full of myself I am, and that I am totally effing weird.
Take example one: I love that I'm such an awesome sleeper. Seriously. Any time of day, no matter where, if you give me a little bit of room to lay down, if I try real hard I can be out in five minutes. I love it because not only is it a really great party trick, but sleeping is probably one of my favorite things to do.
Another thing I love is that I have such a high internal body temperature. I am hardly ever cold and everyone always wants to cuddle with me because I'm like a baked potato. Win. Win.
In other news, I feel like with all of the Progress I am making at becoming an Enlightened Person, I'm confident at my ability to start doling out the advice. I mentioned it last time, but this time I'm serious. Do you have a question about what you should wear to an interview or a funeral? Do you want a good idea of how to woo a super cute girl? What is better, Applebee's or TGIF's? Did you make a big mistake like sleeping with someone you shouldn't have or majoring in Sociology at a remedial state school? Advice! I have it and I want to give it to you.
Send me an email at numbersincursive (at) gmail dot com. I promise I won't use your name if you promise to not sue me if I hurt your feelings or tell you to do something kind of dumb.
* I can't believe this is what I'm spending my Christmas money on.
Additionally, talking about therapy not only vents the tiny gremlins rummaging around in the soul, but provides the opportunity to communicate a lot about who you are as a person. You are admitting that yes, you do have flaws, they might even be Issues or Problems. By saying you go to therapy you are also announcing that while you might have these Issues or Problems, you are also a Brave Warrior who is not afraid of the Process. You get shock value of airing your grit, and to feel smug about all the Progress you've made. You're also saying that you're loaded, or really good at saving Christmas money*, and you have enough free time to break routine to truck across town to sit on someone elses couch for an hour.
I'm actually a huge fan of therapy. Most people are anywhere between moderately and profoundly messed up, and I think by talking to a professional instead of projecting it into other avenues of life will really open Facebook up to its intended purpose, which is reposting puppy videos. Perhaps the world, but most certainly Trader Joes, would be a much better place if people could be just a little more self-aware.
In San Francisco we don't just see analysts, we have Life Coaches. We are mushy Left-Coast liberals. Feeling words are not enough. We need to envision colors and be concerned about what our own personal energy is contributing to the life-force of the universe. We can't just have someone listen to us, we need to know that they are on our side and holding our hand. Two of my favorite things, self-deprecation and narcissism, are brought together in a glorious constellation with being coddled and over-validated.
And this is precisely why I love it. My life coach is supportive and encouraging and aces at the guided meditation. Really, I'm not just saying it: I think I really am making some Progress.
All of this is to introduce, to explain, and legitimate the next story.
One of the "homework assignments" is to write 20 things I love about myself, everyday. Twenty. Twenty things that I don't just think are a-okay, but I actually love. It is really hard. Don't get me wrong, it isn't actually challenging to think of things that I like about myself. That's actually easy enough. The hard part that by admitting these things, I am cementing just how full of myself I am, and that I am totally effing weird.
Take example one: I love that I'm such an awesome sleeper. Seriously. Any time of day, no matter where, if you give me a little bit of room to lay down, if I try real hard I can be out in five minutes. I love it because not only is it a really great party trick, but sleeping is probably one of my favorite things to do.
Another thing I love is that I have such a high internal body temperature. I am hardly ever cold and everyone always wants to cuddle with me because I'm like a baked potato. Win. Win.
In other news, I feel like with all of the Progress I am making at becoming an Enlightened Person, I'm confident at my ability to start doling out the advice. I mentioned it last time, but this time I'm serious. Do you have a question about what you should wear to an interview or a funeral? Do you want a good idea of how to woo a super cute girl? What is better, Applebee's or TGIF's? Did you make a big mistake like sleeping with someone you shouldn't have or majoring in Sociology at a remedial state school? Advice! I have it and I want to give it to you.
Send me an email at numbersincursive (at) gmail dot com. I promise I won't use your name if you promise to not sue me if I hurt your feelings or tell you to do something kind of dumb.
* I can't believe this is what I'm spending my Christmas money on.
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