Have you ever felt this?
“If I share how I really feel, I won’t be seen as professional.”
Or, “if I share how I really feel, they will look down on me.”
Why?
Do we put this burden on ourselves?
I did.
Having been in the ‘helping’ profession for over 8 years now, I feel this on a very deep level. My clients “aren’t supposed to know the ‘real me’, they are only supposed to see me as their therapist”.
This is the narrative I have believed for my entire 8 years in this profession.
It has only been in the last few months that I’ve broken this down and felt that desire to just be myself as a therapist. I want to allow myself to be more open in this profession and I want my clients to see me as a person, not just a professional who (supposedly) has their sh*t together.
Shifting in this way, wow, it has taken so much weight off my shoulders. And let me tell you: it feels good!
I want to be open about my experiences in Mamahood and share my anxieties because I don’t think I’m alone. In fact, I know I’m not. I know that so many other Mamas out there are also experiencing anxiety. It may not be exactly the same as mine, but we might as well experience it together – we might as well support each other in this journey.
I also want to connect. And I believe that in order to connect authentically, we have to be vulnerable. And in order to be vulnerable, we must share how we really feel. Like, how we truly, madly, deeply feel (Savage Garden, anyone?).
And so, I’m here, as a professional in the mental health field to say that I do not have my sh*t together (whatever that means). I’m here to invite you to share your anxieties; to share your true experiences; to use your authentic voice; to connect on a deeper level with others Mamas; and most importantly, to help me keep this space open and judgement free (because nobody’s feelings are wrong…and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!).
Welcome, Mama. Thank you for being here.
x Ashley, the vulnerable therapist
