These past few years have been, a LOT (which feels like an understatement), and it kind of seems like the hits are just going to keep coming. This means that while it might feel selfish, self-care is even more critical at the moment, for everyone. I’ve learned that when crystals don’t cut it: asking for help is the next step. Heck, even our favorite rappers are rapping about therapy (*Shout out to Kendrick Lamar for being a vulnerable work in progress to help everyone grow), but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. It often begins with ourselves!
WHEN CRYSTALS DON’T CUT IT: ASKING FOR HELP
I love Smudge because it has given me a space to explore and grow into what works for me in regard to my growth and care. And while I love the many tools Smudge offers and the practices that I’ve learned while working with them, I also have a therapist I regularly check in with and know that mental wellness is a complex topic. One of the biggest things I think that we can all work on is asking for help. Healing starts with us, and sometimes it sounds small but is often a really large act of saying I need help, or support or assistance. I am definitely guilty of struggling with or overthinking asking for what I need and the encouragement I offer is that almost every single time, the fear/discomfort is so much bigger in my mind than it ends up being in real life. Sometimes we need a little direction on how to get the help we need. Here are some ways to get support.
Ask Your Friends to Hold Space for You: Humans are wired to connect, but sometimes we forget that we have friends for more than just good times and fun. Out of respect for each other, my friends and I have learned how to ask first before we start unloading on each other because with so much happening in the world, sometimes we have our problems and don’t have the bandwidth to support more.
Schedule an appointment with your therapist: Not everyone is in therapy on a regular basis but mental health is important and just like it’s essential to have a primary care physician, it’s also important to have a mental health provider who can support your care and growth. If you do not have a therapist, take this time to find the one that’s right for you. It’s a process but doesn’t be discouraged, the time is worth it. Due to the pandemic, there is a growth of online options for therapy that can bring support right to your home.
Try self-guided therapy: I am a big advocate of CBT therapy and I recently learned about an app called Bloom which is a video self-therapy app. They empower everyone to be their own therapist through video-guided interactive therapy sessions based on cognitive behavioral therapy. Unfortunately, in America especially, therapy can be a costly endeavor so this allows people to be their own therapists.
Go with the Group: Group therapy is another more affordable option for seeking help. There are lots of online options to explore and try, especially if there is a specific category of help you are looking for such as a support group for grief or illness or anything that might be bothering you. Do your research to find the space that will be more helpful for you. Very Well Mind has a list of the best online group therapy and support that can serve as a good launching point in your search.
Call the hotline: Sometimes we need more than the people around us can offer. If you need a lifeline, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Available 24 hours in English and Spanish.
800-273-8255 (T A L K)
Featured Image: beautiful photo by @joztakesthosee on Instagram.
