How Hard Can It Be?

You’ve listened to yourself, or others, or both, and decided you’d like to see a counsellor.

And yet now you’re wavering. How do I do this? Why am I doing this? Why is it SO hard?

I’m not sure if this blog post will answer those questions for you or not, but for what it’s worth here is how I did it.

My Story

I remember, several years ago now, giving in to the advice of those around me to “Go and See Someone”.

I remember poring over the listings on Google, looking up what the various therapies on offer were, trying to work out from a few words on a profile and thumbnail photo just who would be the right ‘Someone’ for me to go visit and pour out my heart to.

I remember finding ‘The One’. Seeing the photo of this ‘Someone’ who looked approachable, sounded friendly, on paper anyway, who lived locally and who ended her profile with ‘the kettle is always on” (and it was, and still is!).

I remember the sick feeling in my stomach when I emailed because phoning was out of the question, far too scary.

I remember the response, “Yes, I can help you with that” and the request for me to call her to book an appointment.

I remember the dread of actually having to pick up the phone to do that.

I remember hearing her voice for the first time and being relieved that actually, yes, she did sound approachable and the photo impression wasn’t a fake!

And I also remember sitting in the car outside her house that first time (and many subsequent times) telling myself “I don’t have to go in”. “I don’t have to talk to her”. “It’s too hard”. “I think I’ll just go home now”, but getting out of the car and knocking on the door and going in.

I remember the gentle unravelling of the mess in my head and the healing and understanding that came from that.

Now I can look back and smile at all that, but right then, right at the beginning, it was scary. But it was also okay. And taking that first step was one of the best things I ever did to start take better care of myself.

And now I find myself in the position of being that ‘Someone’ for other people, and what a privilege that is, to support others when they need their own unravelling and healing. And you know what? My kettle is also always on!

Over To You

So if you, or someone you know, is looking for that ‘Someone’, and you think I might be it, I’m right here at the end of an Email, or Text, or Phone call, (or contact form!) and am looking forward to getting to know you.

Sue@theburrowcottingham.co.uk
07598 237236

(A version of this Blog first appeared on my Facebook Page)