Jackie Shapin Therapy

Have you gotten better at being alone and being in silence throughout this year? I have noticed that some of my clients have been shockingly surprised at how well they are doing being alone. Sometimes sitting in silence can be very difficult and at the same time it can be very monumental in strengthening ourselves. Many people cover up their feelings of anxiety, depression and other mental health struggles with keeping busy(whether it’s with work or constantly being around so...meone or always creating more tasks.) I’m sure either you or someone you know has a belief that they must always be productive. Sitting in silence and sitting with discomfort increases our resiliency! How do you do with silence? (Like the last slide on this carousel post says, this post was inspired by an episode of Dawson’s Creek and yes I finished all 6 seasons.) @ Wilmington/ Wrightsville Beach

Monday’s motivation from One Flew Over The CooCoo’s Nest! If you have not seen this movie, I recommend it. I shared about Sunday scaries in my stories yesterday. Today I want share what’s helpful on that first week day! Start your morning with some affirmations! I have some in my stories to start you off! Say some affirmations out loud and start with I so you are owning it!... Did you get good sleep last night? Wether you did or didn’t, start off with a nice shower to take away the sleep and awaken you! Make your bed. It can feel so calming to see your bed beautiful before you get to work. Eat something for breakfast. Take breaks to check in with yourself. Step outside, take some deep breathes and repeat those affirmations later in the day. Do you have any Monday tools that get you pumped for the week?

Lonely? Tough holiday season? Let’s think of some ideas to lesson loneliness. Here are some ideas: call, FaceTime, zoom a friend or family member Watch an uplifting movie step outside or take a socially distant walk... grab some paper & scissors and make snowflakes journal or draw anything Comment what you do below to help everyone out. The more ideas, the more likelihood one will hit home with someone!

An obsession is something you don’t accept uncertainty about. @ocdbaltimore Let’s show our obsessions who’s boss! Next time you have a thought you cannot stop thinking about, respond like a boss. Try saying with your most confident voice and confident posture (even if your terrified). This can sound like: - Hmmm I don’t know what’s going to happen and that’s OK.... - I will accept the uncertainty of the outcome. - Maybe this will happen and maybe that will happen. - Maybe something even more terrible will happen. I’m gonna sit with those feelings! Accepting uncertainty is uncomfortable and you know what, you can do it! I know you’ve felt discomfort before, so I know you’re can do it again. Check out the previous post to help you change your relationship with discomfort.

Amazing explanation on discomfort! It’s physical. Can you become swayed of your feelings physically? Many times we forget that our feelings are not in our mind. We get stuck in our thoughts and forget to become aware and connect to our body. You can handle feelings. We all can! It can be excruciating AND they always pass @ocdbaltimore talks more about this on the @treatmyocd app! What discomfort have you practiced noticing?!