Traditional therapy is great, but it’s also a luxury not many people have access to or feel comfortable doing.
There are ways we can provide ourselves with “free therapy” without leaning into outside sources.
My favourite form of therapy is journaling.
I don’t do it every day, but I turn to it when I need it most.
Whether it be to sort out my thoughts or rant, journaling is super convenient. It’s also super personal. Some things you don’t want to share with anyone- no matter how close you are.
Journaling provides you an outlet to be completely honest and transparent about whatever you’re going through without the worry of judgement or oversharing.
It’s also a great way to make sense of your emotions. Too many thoughts tend to cloud our minds and can leave us feeling confused or frustrated. Getting all these feelings, words, emotions etc, onto paper allows us to take a step back and properly analyse the situation.
Then, we can approach said situation with a clear mind.
When I’m feeling stressed out, overstimulated, or anxious, I journal. And it genuinely helps.
Cleaning.
When too many things feel out of my control, I turn to the things I can control.
And in those moments, I can control how clean my surroundings are.
I can control how clean my bathroom is.
I can control how clean my room is.
I can control whether I have clean laundry, or if I have laundry that needs to be folded.
It’s a reminder that while there will always be things out of my control, I’m not helpless.
Sorting the chaos on the outside, helps maintain the inside.
Music.
It’s always telling a story.
Songs that make you feel something deeply will always be at the top of my list. Music is art, and music heals.
For songs I can relate to, it comforts me because it reminds me, I’m not alone.
For songs I can’t relate to in that moment, that’s a reminder that there are other things we can feel. A reminder that our emotions are fleeting. Temporary.
Meditating.
For five minutes or for thirty minutes, taking the time to just breathe; to stay in the present, is so, so important. And it doesn’t have to be in a secluded place on a cushion or yoga mat with candles lit and soft music playing in the background.
I catch myself mediating all the time.
Feeling burnt out at work? I go to the bathroom, and I breathe. I remind myself that I am okay, and I am feeling.
Out in public and I feel myself getting angry or annoyed? Step aside for a second and validate those emotions, breathe.
Meditation is breathing. Inhaling, exhaling, being. Remembering that you are present in that moment and because of that, you determine what happens next with a clear mind.
It’s a calming feeling.
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Your version of therapy may differ from mine. Whether yours involves retail, drawing, sports, yoga, traditional therapy, there are outlets we can use to relieve ourselves throughout the day.
Find what works best for you and keep it consistent.
