You’re probably doing more than you think

When I was 11 years old, I begged my parents to let me get contacts.

My vision was horrible from a very young age, and by 5th grade, the heft of the lenses on my tiny face was just too much. (Even then, I was super sensitive to stimuli that didn’t feel comfy or felt overstimulating.)

So off to the eye doctor I went! …and then it turned out I was not good at getting the little fuckers into my eyes.

In fact, I tried for what felt like hours (it probably wasn’t) at the doctor’s office to get them in, but I just couldn’t figure it out. I was devastated, frustrated, and felt like a failure (and also confused, like, why the hell is this so hard for me when everyone else seems to do it just fine??).

I felt like that a lot, actually, as a kid (and as an adult)…some things do come fairly simply to me, but anything involving my body, coordination, and the like, it’s like my brain was taking a day off and my body was left to fend for itself without any guidance.

And apparently, putting contact lenses into my eyes was one of those things.

My parents got samples from the doctor so I could practice at home, and practice I did. But it would take me months to get it right, and at the time I couldn’t imagine ever figuring it out.

Why am I sharing this in a therapy practice blog, you might ask?

Because as I was putting in my contacts this morning (spoiler alert, I did figure it out, and thank goodness since my vision is even more horrendous than it was at 11), I thought about how there was a time in my life when I never thought I’d get here.

But for decades now, I wake up every morning and pop those little fuckers into my eyes without even thinking.

What my felt so confusing to my body before is a deeply known and familiar act now.

And isn’t that so often the case?

When we’re in the thick of it, it is so so hard to see how it might feel any differently than it does in those moments of frustration, grief, struggle.

And yes, sometimes those things continue to be hard. It’s a common thread in the human condition.

But sometimes (and perhaps more often than we realize), those things do get better.

We learn, we adapt, we change.

And my guess is that there’s at least one thing that feels more easeful to you now than maybe it did before.

You deserve to acknowledge those changes…the ones made through patience, dilligence, compassion, strength, and softness.

Because those things could not have become easier or better without you.

And this is true even if those changes happened through therapy.

As a therapist, I may offer a unique space of support that would have made those changes more difficult to do…but you are the one doing the work, every day, even when you can’t completely see how it might get better someday.

And what an honor it is to be that person who gets to witness those transformations.

If you’re curious about the kind of space I provide in order for your to experience the changes you’re seeking, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I offer free consultations and sliding scale payment options to all clients. Click here to contact me and request a consult!