(shocker) trying too damn hard and too damn much backfired.

summertime surrender

Welcome to this tiny corner of the internet where an off-duty psychotherapist keeps the conversation going on how to make sense of this life thing we’re all doing. If you ever wondered what your therapist does off the clock—which, who among us hasn’t?—this is like that. Think of it as the adult equivalent of seeing your elementary school teacher at the grocery store picking out lemons. 🍋 I typically oscillate between long-form psychoeducation pieces and narrative essays—sometimes I smush them together. I also do a biweekly podcast with my husband, roundups and a segment of brisk thoughts on music, TV, and film. Today, a little letting go.

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.

I couldn’t get my thoughts together this week to bring you a full newsletter like I usually do. It’s not for a lack of trying. Moreso a lack of taking a hint. 

Every bone in my body is pulling me toward rest. Away from creation and toward restoration and remembering what works for me. I have a few drafts of writing I may still publish one day—a lot of push/pull of guilt and overwhelm…and then guilt about overwhelm. Oh, the joys—but for now I’m honoring my mind and body’s plea for less.

In the meantime, feel free to check out the five newsletters I mentioned from last week that are out from behind the paywall until the end of July. I also have several interviews with publications on Substack coming in the next few weeks. I’ll be back at it before you know it. 

Questions for you:

1. Anyone else feeling like they could use a summer hibernation? I knew this month would be a lot, but jeesh the exhaustion is at peak levels.

2. For my friends with a creative practice, how do you manage moments where a part of you may need to rest, but you also desperately want to create?

You can find more info and my full disclaimer on my about page here. Abridged version: I’m a therapist, but not your therapist—even if you are a client of mine ~hi, dear one!~ this isn’t a session. I don’t think you could possibly confuse this newsletter with mental health treatment. Alas if that were to happen, let me say definitively, dialoguing is an educational and informational newsletter only, not a substitute for mental health treatment.

Any comments, questions, suggestions, please feel free to email me at dialoguingsubstack@gmail.com—or if you’re reading this via email you can just hit reply and send me a message. Love hearing from you for any and all reasons!

Tickets for the virtual Mental Health & Motherhood Conference are on sale! Tickets begin at $25. You can get them here. If you want a taste of what it will be like, Motherhood Minute has begun to post introductions with various speakers, one with yours truly is forthcoming.

Lastly, the summer tends to be a time where things slow down for my practice. I’m excited to announce at this time I have space on my caseload for 1 or 2 coaching clients. Check out my about page (near the bottom) for more info.

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Thumbnail Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash