I so appreciate the posts! Your story resonates with me. For those of us who did not enter therapy until later in life ( when I entered therapy in 2018, I was 54) it is indeed a brave thing to do. I came out of the evangelical church (Baptist and non-denominational my entire life to that point) and many I knew at the time were not super fond of therapy. For me, my way to deal with trauma had actually been exercise. I was actually an assistant cross country coach when I entered therapy! Running had always been a passion for me. My therapist has told me several times she thinks exercise saved me from other forms of coping that could have been very harmful. All of this to say, I appreciate you sharing your story. It indeed lets others know they are not alone in their pain and that what happened or didin't happen to them as children and teens was never their fault! In fact, I am just now realizing that there are things that happen to us as adults that are not our fault either. There is so little we actually control and things happen to us that we cannot help (job loss, car accidents and more). So, thank you for sharing your insights!
There is so much we have learned! Especially about it not being our fault--as children and adults. I hear from so many who began healing past 50! It would be fascinating to collect the stories. Why did we choose to heal? Was there a turning point? Had we simply reached a place in life where it was possible? What would we say to the next generation? And about the running, I agree with your therapist and would have been much healthier if my active younger self hadn't been discouraged. "You are a girl, you don't need skates." Sigh. So glad you had that outlet! I survived with academics. But I see my younger self in my son who is an ultra marathon runner. We both arrived on earth as very determined children. :-)
Maybe I'll try to get back to a routine with you this winter. I realize that the weight I carry now is a result of multiple things, some of which you mentioned in your post, and I don't need to beat myself up over it but wrapping my head around putting myself first for a few minutes when a lot is going on is overwhelming me right now. I try to give myself grace but I'm still working on that.
Janyne,
I so appreciate the posts! Your story resonates with me. For those of us who did not enter therapy until later in life ( when I entered therapy in 2018, I was 54) it is indeed a brave thing to do. I came out of the evangelical church (Baptist and non-denominational my entire life to that point) and many I knew at the time were not super fond of therapy. For me, my way to deal with trauma had actually been exercise. I was actually an assistant cross country coach when I entered therapy! Running had always been a passion for me. My therapist has told me several times she thinks exercise saved me from other forms of coping that could have been very harmful. All of this to say, I appreciate you sharing your story. It indeed lets others know they are not alone in their pain and that what happened or didin't happen to them as children and teens was never their fault! In fact, I am just now realizing that there are things that happen to us as adults that are not our fault either. There is so little we actually control and things happen to us that we cannot help (job loss, car accidents and more). So, thank you for sharing your insights!
There is so much we have learned! Especially about it not being our fault--as children and adults. I hear from so many who began healing past 50! It would be fascinating to collect the stories. Why did we choose to heal? Was there a turning point? Had we simply reached a place in life where it was possible? What would we say to the next generation? And about the running, I agree with your therapist and would have been much healthier if my active younger self hadn't been discouraged. "You are a girl, you don't need skates." Sigh. So glad you had that outlet! I survived with academics. But I see my younger self in my son who is an ultra marathon runner. We both arrived on earth as very determined children. :-)
Just chiming in here as someone who began the work of healing after 50....
Maybe I'll try to get back to a routine with you this winter. I realize that the weight I carry now is a result of multiple things, some of which you mentioned in your post, and I don't need to beat myself up over it but wrapping my head around putting myself first for a few minutes when a lot is going on is overwhelming me right now. I try to give myself grace but I'm still working on that.
Yes, please give yourself grace! Some (many) seasons in life are difficult for doing self care.
This sounds like such a good idea and something I need to do. The work of healing has definitely taken a toll on my physical health! Grace!
Grace to you Sandy!
A great comparison! And it can be difficult to focus on all we need at once. i need to get back to a good routine—especially walking.