The holidays can feel like a lot for therapists who hold space for everyone’s pain, while navigating their own, often less than ideal, relationships.
I had planned to take a few weeks off, and then, my state of residence has been hit hard by political divide, ongoing tension, chaos, violence, threats from our federal government to cut off funding for those who need it most, and deep unrest.
I work with clients who are personally impacted by all of this, and some who don’t mention it all.
I have many thoughts, concerns, and emotions about the matter, and I set those aside to hold space for what the person in front of me needs to navigate in their session.
It has been a challenge to show up with hope and inspiration; so, I listen, validate, and together we acknowledge that every emotion is welcome.
We don’t have to force feeling good in a time when things are not good.
I have noticed a stark contrast in how women and men are moving through these times.
Women seem to be much more impacted by pain that is not theirs.
It is in our hormonal make-up.
It is in how we are raised, to be nurturers and mothers.
It comes from a deep place of understanding.
This empathy is often even greater in the clients I serve, and I love them for that.
I don’t know a single woman who has not been called a “bitch” by someone at some point in their life.
Witnessing a mother being shot in daylight, on a residential street in Minnesota, and then immediately called a “fucking bitch” reminded every single female, person of color, or member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, who holds power, and it isn’t us.
What we are in charge of is how we show up for one another, and ourselves.
We are in charge of who we allow in our lives
How we let people treat us
How we nurture those who nurture us
The thoughts we think
The emotions we acknowledge
The choices we make
I know that times are hard.
I feel the collective pain and suffering of every one of us grieving better times, or the hope we had for better times in 2026.
Please trust that better times will come.
Do what you can to care for yourself, first.
Find a community of others who understand your experience.
Get support if you need it, you deserve it.
You are more capable, and resilient than you think.
