(part two) 33 thoughts while watching 'Nobody Wants This' from an off-duty therapist

episodes 4-7

Today a segment, dialoguing on dialogue, where I briskly explore a piece of media–TV, movies or music—with first thoughts. Inspired by Emma Specter’s column for Vogue where she narrates her thoughts as she watches a movie, movie trailer, or gets a first look of upcoming movie. This is my take on that, weaving my personal reflections together with any mental health concepts I stumble upon along the way.

One thing before we jump in, I show up very much as myself here. Myself first, and all my other labels are secondary. If a therapist speaking candidly feels like too much to your system, that is absolutely is OK and this may not be the best particular newsletter for you.

Photo Credit: Netflix & Bambi Skinny Leather Belt by Khaite

Welcome to round two (of three) of my initial thoughts upon viewing Nobody Wants This. If you missed the first dispatch, I talk about the first three episodes here.

Someone (thank you

Charlotte

!) mentioned that the middle episodes were a little slower, which I definitely agree with. I’m glad I had that warning, because they did slog a bit for me. At least compared to the first three. Nevertheless, I think there are some worthwhile themes to reflect on. 

Let’s get right into it. Here are my first thoughts on episodes four through seven:

1. We are starting with Joanne being heckled for needing validation. From my perspective, we have swung too far on the pendulum regarding validation. There has been a push for focusing more on internal validation—my field is culpable in this push, I must admit—but, as is common, we’ve gone too far. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to say to clients, “It’s OK to want attention and validation at times.” It’s become pathological to need those things somehow. It’s not. External validation needn’t be the only kind we live off of, but the momentum behind the idea that we don’t have any parts of us that need people to turn toward us, notice us, appreciate us is unhinged.