I know a thing or two about neurosis, having started therapy at age 26 and continuing, from then on, a quest to find a place of quiet, calm wisdom. When that never happened, I dropped self-improvement and took up self-acceptance instead. It’s been freeing for me. I stopped trying to get well and just let myself be happy, warts and all. Turns out that neurosis is good for blogging, anyway.
Anyway, I’ve met a number of therapists in my lifetime, and some are better than others. My last therapist, Marilyn, was a warm, 60-something woman with great therapeutic skill and a lively, even bawdy, sense of humor. With Marilyn, healing was not such lofty, serious business, and she shared her own humanity openly without violating the precious patient-therapist boundaries. That doesn’t mean I never cried, but somehow we had a great time as we poked and prodded into my anxious life.
Years later, when I found June O’Hara‘s blog The Neurosis Files, I found a voice equally compelling. Though a therapist, O’Hara embraces her own midlife crisis with humor and irreverence. She’s even working on a book she calls, Your Therapist Isn’t Well, Either. When that gets published, I’ll be the first in line! In the meantime, whether writing about cell phones, life as a therapist (including a certain little girl who cured herself), or everyday irritations, you’ll feel a little lighter if you keep up with June. And maybe, the next time your therapist studies you with a knowing look over the top of his reading glasses, stroking his beard, you’ll know that deep down inside, Mr. Know It All doesn’t have all the answers, either.
Thanks for the recommendation, Nadine. I checked out her blog, and it’s great! So funny . . . . I’ll be returning.
June is my favorite.. Aside from being hilarious, she uses the best words in her posts.
Agreed, Brenda. She has a great way of expressing herself, as do you!
Thank you, Nadine! I’m so happy you enjoy my blog, and am thrilled and honored to be mentioned in your post. And how heartening to hear you talk about your ever-so-real therapist. I’m always hoping that my humanness is a positive for my clients. I totally agree with your sentiment: At a point, self-acceptance is the name of the game. Unless you’re a serial killer. That’s a little different.
Thank you again, Nadine. You made my week.
LOL! Yes, good point about the serial killer… Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for your wonderful work! I love sharing good blogs with people.
Nadine, I’m so happy you like my blog, and am thrilled and honored to be mentioned in yours. How heartening to hear about Marilyn, too! I always hope that my humanness is helpful to my clients. I also like what you said about self-acceptance. At a point, it just seems like the smart way to go, right?
Thanks for reminding us about self-acceptance (especially when it comes to comparing ourselves to all those writers/bloggers who tweet their word count every day). And thanks for reminding me about June’s blog. It’s on my reader list, but I’m so far behind on that. I think I’ll move it up to my priority category.
I can relate to how it’s hard to keep up with everything! I’m trying to get back to a consistent routine, including blog and book reading, but some days I feel like I’m a juggler watching all the balls drop around me.
I subscribed to the Neurosis file some time ago, and I like it. I love the name of the book. I would certainly want to read it too <3
I don't have very good experiences with my therapists 🙁
Nikky, I think your last line could inspire an entire blog post. I’ve had some therapists who were better than others. More importantly, I have gotten acquainted over the years with a variety of therapeutic styles, and we have to find what works for us. I don’t do well with traditional talk therapy, but cognitive therapy suits me very well. One of my loved ones didn’t do well at all with cognitive therapy, but has responded nicely to dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). I also do not do well in groups, while other people thrive in them. You’ve been doing some… Read more »
I just found her blog, too, and love her book title! And, via her blog, found yours. A win-win!
Glad you came by to visit! Looks like your blog is interesting, too.