Shaking off the Rust

Two posts in one month is some sort of record for me, especially lately. Heck, I've even given the ole blog a facelift.

As my first full semester of classes at Drake University ends, the work seems to be adding up. Today I was writing a reflection paper on the Cognitive Behavior, Reality Therapy, and Feminist Therapy theories. Sounds exciting doesn't it?!? It was once said to me that those who enter the counseling field often times need counseling themselves. Well duh! Counselors, whether Mental Health, Community, Disability, Rehab, School, whatever are HUMANS! The same family, personal, career problems that any regular joe faces are also faced by a counselor. At the age of 25 and maybe on the verge of a "quarter-life" crisis, it has been helpful to be reading on some of these counseling theories.

I have written on here before about my lack of confidence in areas. How I look at other people and instantly put myself down. That is what Cognitive Behavior Therapy (or CBT) is all about. I have a negative thought pattern that developed somewhere/someplace in my head...irrational thoughts they are called. I do let them limit me and I let them see myself as a 19-20 year old who doesn't know jack instead of a 25 year old who is a good teacher and in graduate school. I believe these irrational thoughts make me a sometimes uneffective worker. I don't mean not getting papers done or whatever, but just general things. For instance, today I needed to take out my garbage and it took everything in me to get up and do it. Just weird things like that.

So what is one to do in this situation? First, recognize that other people are just that other people, other humans. They go through the same things I do. Take a little time for myself along the way. Not something that needs to be changed, but it makes me feel better is working on appearance...ironing more, cleaning up better, working out more. I've also got into the habit of making lists. I did this when I lived in Chariton and found it very effective. I list everything I want to do in a day/a week/a weekend and crossing things off feels great. I write these lists with one thing on there that NEEDS to get done, a couple really small tasks, and one that doesn't need to get done yet so in case I don't get it crossed off it isn't a big deal and I can accept that. Also, blogging. I know my rants may make me seem like a headcase too much, but they give me a chance to vent. A chance to shake off a little rust and feel new again. Thanks for reading!