This month, let’s consider what we might give away.
This doesn’t have to be stuff. It might be something you’re going to let other people do, think, or feel that you’re not going to do, think, or feel anymore.
Here’s how this works:
Write one thing you’re going to give away this month IN ALL CAPS, e.g., THE BELIEF THAT LIFE IS HARD, THE IDEA THAT LIFE SHOULD BE FAIR, or ONE OF MY 18 WINTER COATS.
Find someone else’s that resonates and comment, introduce yourself, and maybe offer support. We’re a community in pursuit of a little less of too much.
Go to it!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
You’ll notice how little of it is spent talking about mental health recovery.
MY CLOTHES THAT ARE (LITERALLY) 12 SIZES TOO SMALL, in preparation for moving. Sad to see some of it go, and to accept that it's not going to fit again anytime soon. But, you're right, Sarah: it does (can?) feel good to get rid of some extra stuff.
ALMOST EVERYTHING! My partner and I are moving to Cambodia in June and taking just our carry-ons and two Siamese cats. Wild times ahead...and lots of letting go of material possessions (cars, clothes, books, everything) as well as the familiarity of daily life and routine.
I WANT TO GIVE AWAY MY GUILT AT BEING AWAY FROM SOPHIE, MY SHIH TZU, WHEN WE GO ON A FAMILY TRIP
She's well looked after, 24-7, at home when we're away. She must know by now that we're coming back. Still, the prospect of being away from her makes me sad. Once the trip has started, I'm okay.
I AM A HUMAN BEING NOT A HUMAN DOING - This month, I'm making a conscious effort to shift my focus from "doing" to "being." I'll be exploring my values and passions, and practicing self-compassion to build a stronger sense of self-worth. I'm letting go of the worry that I'm not doing enough, and instead, I'm focusing on the fact that I am enough, exactly as I am.
After dealing with 22 days of creeping crud I’m giving away my belief that April was a wash. I will think of myself as an eagle, resting up for the next burst (God willing) where I can soar.
I’m giving up GUILT from spending a lot of time writing on Substack. Yes, I spend much more time here than I intended, but I share useful therapeutic materials the people enjoy, and I’m building a business and future here. And it won’t write itself! Goodbye guilt! 👋
BEATING MYSELF UP FOR STUPID SHIT. My longtime therapist once told me that guilt is a useless emotion. I’m not sure I agree, but I do overuse it to the point of exhaustion.
I’m working on giving up perfectionism. No small task as we all know. So to motivate myself I’ll be keeping the benefits in mind. It will allow me to put more of my work out into the world. Work that is in service of others. Don’t let your audience wait until it’s perfect. They may need to hear what you have to say now.
TIME: 10 HOURS DAILY SHARING INFO. I am not into clothes. I doubt anyone would like my shorts, tights and sport tops. I don't like clutter...and give things away that I don't use.
WORRY. I am going to give away worry. It keeps me from living in my Zone of Genius (yes, that's from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, a book that has found its way to me at just the right time). After a lifetime of championship worrying, this won't be easy to give away. But it's time. It's a trophy that is weighing me down.
UNCERTAINTY ABOUT SETTING UP PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS TODAY. I felt like a bit of a fraud for putting my writing behind a paywall, but it's chapters from my memoir and there's some intimate content. If people want to read about my dating/sex adventures they will have to pay for it.
Can it be more than one? Hard to choose this month. Worry, uncertainty, guilt. I’m dealing with a heath issue that has family ramifications. I’ll be working on staying focused on the things I can control and letting go of the rest.
MY CLOTHES THAT ARE (LITERALLY) 12 SIZES TOO SMALL, in preparation for moving. Sad to see some of it go, and to accept that it's not going to fit again anytime soon. But, you're right, Sarah: it does (can?) feel good to get rid of some extra stuff.
ALMOST EVERYTHING! My partner and I are moving to Cambodia in June and taking just our carry-ons and two Siamese cats. Wild times ahead...and lots of letting go of material possessions (cars, clothes, books, everything) as well as the familiarity of daily life and routine.
I WANT TO GIVE AWAY MY GUILT AT BEING AWAY FROM SOPHIE, MY SHIH TZU, WHEN WE GO ON A FAMILY TRIP
She's well looked after, 24-7, at home when we're away. She must know by now that we're coming back. Still, the prospect of being away from her makes me sad. Once the trip has started, I'm okay.
I AM A HUMAN BEING NOT A HUMAN DOING - This month, I'm making a conscious effort to shift my focus from "doing" to "being." I'll be exploring my values and passions, and practicing self-compassion to build a stronger sense of self-worth. I'm letting go of the worry that I'm not doing enough, and instead, I'm focusing on the fact that I am enough, exactly as I am.
After dealing with 22 days of creeping crud I’m giving away my belief that April was a wash. I will think of myself as an eagle, resting up for the next burst (God willing) where I can soar.
I’m giving up GUILT from spending a lot of time writing on Substack. Yes, I spend much more time here than I intended, but I share useful therapeutic materials the people enjoy, and I’m building a business and future here. And it won’t write itself! Goodbye guilt! 👋
https://lettersfromtherapy.substack.com/
BEATING MYSELF UP FOR STUPID SHIT. My longtime therapist once told me that guilt is a useless emotion. I’m not sure I agree, but I do overuse it to the point of exhaustion.
I’m working on giving up perfectionism. No small task as we all know. So to motivate myself I’ll be keeping the benefits in mind. It will allow me to put more of my work out into the world. Work that is in service of others. Don’t let your audience wait until it’s perfect. They may need to hear what you have to say now.
TIME: 10 HOURS DAILY SHARING INFO. I am not into clothes. I doubt anyone would like my shorts, tights and sport tops. I don't like clutter...and give things away that I don't use.
WORRY. I am going to give away worry. It keeps me from living in my Zone of Genius (yes, that's from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, a book that has found its way to me at just the right time). After a lifetime of championship worrying, this won't be easy to give away. But it's time. It's a trophy that is weighing me down.
UNCERTAINTY ABOUT SETTING UP PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS TODAY. I felt like a bit of a fraud for putting my writing behind a paywall, but it's chapters from my memoir and there's some intimate content. If people want to read about my dating/sex adventures they will have to pay for it.
TRANQUILITY And encouragement to find it in small things. Hmm, is that two or part of one invitation?
I’m giving up the SHOULDS - what I think I should be doing or feeling or saying… It’s crippling me!
Can it be more than one? Hard to choose this month. Worry, uncertainty, guilt. I’m dealing with a heath issue that has family ramifications. I’ll be working on staying focused on the things I can control and letting go of the rest.
Anxiety. I'm giving away anxiety this month.
PEACH TREE SEEDLINGS I NURSED FROM PITS OVER WINTER.