A Little Dose of Gratitude
Holy smokes, it is November. How have we made it to the end of 2020?
To be honest, I’m not quite sure. But I do know that this year has been hard. And I also know that my brain (well, all human brains) tends to dwell more on what’s not going well rather than what IS going well. And hey, with a year like this one, that’s pretty legit.
But I am using this opportunity to get specific about some things I’m grateful for. I find that when I get super specific about my gratitude, it helps reshape my perspective and breathes life into my exhausted and frustrated moments. So here goes…
I am grateful for clients and supervisees who have been flexible with my frequent requests for schedule changes. My schedule has been less reliable, which has been a huge source of frustration for me. I have been buoyed up to see how we have shown up for one another with flexibility and understanding. This has been particularly sweet to see, as developing greater flexibility is a cornerstone to eating disorder recovery and overall stable mental health.- I am grateful for personal relationships with colleagues whose lived experience is different from my own (i.e. race, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc.) and who have been willing to educate me and push me to do better. These individuals have utilized compassion and directness to help me see and address my blind spots.
- I am grateful for my personal community of family, friends, colleagues, and therapy that has provided me space to vent, cry, problem solve, and receive support. We aren’t meant to get through life alone. We are meant to rely on one another and I wouldn’t have gotten through this year without my own “people” who have shown up for me.
- I am grateful for work that is rooted in my values and provides me a sense of purpose and meaning. My connection to purpose and passion during these very difficult months is a vital anchor in my life and I realize that I am one of the lucky few who is nourished through my professional pursuits. I do not like being on zoom all day, every day but I am so grateful to continue to do my work.
- I am grateful for my colleagues who participate in my online clinicians group. Each day I see compassion, curiosity, and connection – clinicians deeply committed to food and body image healing for ALL people. Each of us striving towards social justice and equity for all bodies in our own unique ways.
- I am grateful for books and podcasts. As many of you know, I am an avid and lifelong learner. With the rollercoaster of 2020 serving as the backdrop, my learning edges have been pushed and stretched like never before. With the intensity of racial and political conflict, I have leaned toward content that I might have previously shied away from. Or content I may not have prioritized. I can’t wait to share with you my roundup of favorites in my January newsletter. If you’re interested in previous years roundups, you can read 2018 and 2019 editions!