Connection

Today I’m thinking about connection and how powerful it can be. So many of us have (or have had) trouble reaching out for connection when we feel ashamed of ourselves or something we’ve done—and while it’s an understandable instinct, to shield ourselves from vulnerability and the possibility of judgment, I think this is actually when connecting with others can be most powerful. When I worked with adoptive parents learning to parent kids and teens coming out of foster care, I often shared the idea that every interaction with their child was a chance to either (figuratively) pull their child closer to them, or push them further away. I think it’s the same with all of us—every tough moment is a chance to share with others, to create a closer and more authentic connection with them, or to pull away, further cloaking ourselves in shame and isolation. (I also sometimes think of it as a political act to share during these moments, to help reduce the stigma around struggling, and model authenticity for those who might not be there on their own yet).

Of course, it takes time, effort and practice to learn who you can trust with your authentic self—sometimes, unfortunately, we learn this through rejection—but the connection that’s created when we can fully share ourselves with someone else is a beautiful and totally invaluable thing. Therapy can sometimes be the first time we feel safe enough to risk leaning into this connection, which is why the corrective emotional experience therapy can provide is so important. 

If you find yourself curious about this kind of connection, I’d love to hear from you! My practice is launching in just a few weeks and I’m so looking forward to creating connections with new clients soon.