How are we going to get through this? 

I am having very dark thoughts. 

I am overwhelmed. 

I am exhausted. 

I am anxious.  

I can’t sleep. 

I am scared.

I am sad. 

These are common statements that I hear in my work everyday with my patients. Working in the field of mental health, supporting others through this collective trauma over the last two years has been a ride. I have worked with people from all different walks of life and belief systems. And in each person, I witness the fragility and the resiliency of the human spirit. I see courageous people who desperately want to feel better. Who don’t want to be in fear anymore and who will do anything to move away from the discomfort.

And at the same time I feel privileged to be in a position to hold the most vulnerable spaces with people. Spaces to express dark thoughts, to feel deeply, to scream, laugh, cry and play. A space to be seen and held. A space to receive compassion when they feel no one else understands. And a space to explore with curiosity. To explore the intricacies of the human psyche and the emotional body. I have seen a lot over the last two years, yet the intensity is only increasing. 

How are we collectively going to get through life as things continue to unravel? Three words come to mind: Curiosity, Compassion, and Community. 

Curiosity: Rather than jumping to judgement and certainty, keeping an open mind to alternative views and perspectives, asking questions and inquiring.  

Compassion: The motivation to alleviate suffering from self and others. The opposite of indifference, cruelty and insensitivity. 

Community: Connection with others & the more than human world cultivates safety, comfort and holding. Isolation and disconnection leads to fear, anxiety, loneliness, shame, addiction, depression & grief.

We all are human. And we all have universal needs and fears. No one is certain. Yet everyone is certain. It feels good to be certain (it actually releases dopamine). Yet, it doesn’t leave room for difference. It enhances polarization, segregation and othering. It creates division and fragmentation. Which ultimately leads to more suffering. 

Having compassion and curiosity allows for there to be space for meaningful dialogue and differing of opinions, without hating each other, discriminating or hurting one another. I believe we need radical cultural healing that allows for many perspectives. We need community and coming together. 

We are all struggling in our own unique ways. I invite each of you to see if you can have more compassion & curiosity for yourself and for those you encounter, even if their beliefs are not your own. If this is difficult, get curious and seek support. As the world continues to unravel, it will become more and more apparent just how important community support systems are. 

Sending love to each of you. And thank you for reading the musings of my mind. A special shout out to my fellow mental health practitioners and health care providers. I see you. I know you are tired and I hope you are taking time to care for yourselves too. Thank you for your work!