Hey there, beautiful ones! Today, I want to take you on a ride through my personal rollercoaster of emotions, therapists who missed the mark, and the unexpected savior that entered my life: shadow work. Yes, you heard me right – shadow work, the unsung hero in my battle against bipolar as a disorder. Buckle up, my friends, because this is one story you won’t want to miss.
It all began back in 2010 when I got slapped with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Cue the entrance of my first therapist, whom I’ll affectionately refer to as Mr. Mute. This guy had a knack for saying the bare minimum and then prescribing me more pills than a pharmacy shelf. My moods? They were in check, but I was as expressive as a brick wall. I mean, who enjoys feeling like a human robot? Not me! So, I swiftly kicked Mr. Mute to the curb.
Next up was Mr. Dream Crusher. I confided in him about my dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, and you know what he said? “People like you could never accomplish such a feat.” Ouch, right? That was one therapy session that didn’t last longer than my patience in a never-ending grocery line.
Now, after these two therapist mishaps, I was ready to throw in the therapy towel for good. But, my partner wouldn’t have it. They were my saving grace, gently coaxing me back into the therapeutic embrace. This time, I struck gold and found the therapist extraordinaire – Michele!
For a solid six years, Michele was my rock. She guided me through the wild maze of mood regulation and didn’t hesitate to call me out when I was serving up a plate of BS. With her support, I managed to ditch the medication crutch. She even introduced me to my PE therapist and our couple’s therapist. Michele was the real MVP, and when she decided to spread her wings and leave her old practice, I followed her without a second thought.
However, there was a slight problem: the sessions started to burn a hole in my pocket. I had to make the hard executive decision to take a break. Michele, being the wonderful human she is, supported me all the way. She believed I had learned the tools to keep my ship steady on my own.
So, there I was, trying to steer the ship solo. I dusted off the toolbox of tricks I had gathered from Michele, but as time passed, those tools began to lose their shine. Stress piled up – wedding planning, a new grandchild, and work hours that were straight-up ridiculous – and I started to rapid-cycle. Going back to Michele was no longer an option, and landing a county-appointed therapist was like trying to catch a unicorn.
Enter stage left: shadow work. It waltzed into my life like a dazzling magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Little did I know that this newfound tool would unleash a whirlwind of self-awareness, making me spot my triggers from a mile away and deal with them like a pro.
Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m not here to throw shade at therapy. Having an objective, supportive figure by your side can be life-changing. But, and this is a big but, as long as you’re committed to doing the work, you can survive without one.
Fast forward to today, and it’s been almost a year since I embarked on this self-healing journey. Let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. No more pretending to be okay; I actually am okay. No more waiting for that weekly therapy session to feel like myself again. Every day, I wake up feeling amazing, like a superhero with a cape made of resilience.
Here’s the kicker: No one, not even the most amazing therapist in the universe, can do the work for you. It’s all on you, beautiful ones. So, if you’re thinking about giving up on therapy because it’s too pricey or seems out of reach, think again.
You have the power to take the first step toward healing, and I’m here to help you along the way. If you need guidance on how and where to start, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with me. I’ve been there, and done that, and I’m ready to be your compass on this journey to self-discovery.
Until next time, my friends, remember: love and light are always within reach. Embrace your shadows, and watch yourself shine brighter than ever before.
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