Here we are, one year after the entire world shut down due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. I remember what I was doing that particular weekend last year, as I'm sure most of us do, and wondering what was going to happen in the weeks and months to come.
I think I've felt every emotion this year, anxiety being at the fore front and figuring out how to manage it this whole year has been difficult. I tried many different coping tools and different ways to find connection with my loved ones and made it through, however, the overwhelming feeling of still not knowing what the world is going to look like, hangs over me.
In my most recent sessions with my clients, we've talked a lot about the future, about what's to come and about what we potentially want to leave behind. We've discussed how we "used to" live our lives: saying yes to things we didn't really want to do, having trouble setting boundaries with people that needed them, or not making changes in our lives that might have been necessary due to fear and anxiety.
These conversations also go into next steps for therapy or change: Tapping into our motivation for change, processing unresolved trauma or finding ways to manage difficult family dynamics. Most of my sessions landed on one thing: not wanting to live life the same way as before the pandemic.
With all that said, I look to you - you fabulous, strong, resilient, wonderful humans, you can do whatever it is you set your mind to. You can live an amazing life. I know doubt creeps in and makes the unknown feel scary and makes you think "what's the point?", but the point is: to have a life that feels full. Full of happiness, love and peace (as well as the things in between because that's just life).
I have faith in you and I'm here to hold the faith during the times you can't hold it for yourself.
About the Author:
Stephanie Polizzi is a licensed psychotherapist (LMHC) at Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling.
Stephanie specializes in tweens, teens and adults struggling with anxiety, eating disorders, behavioral challenges, life transitions and trauma.
Stephanie uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and EMDR Therapy in her work with clients.