The faint scent of lavender hangs in the air as I sit in the familiar, cozy office, the soft murmur of traffic filtering through the window. My therapist, Dr. Freeman, sits across from me, flipping through the pages of my mood journal, her brow slightly furrowed as she scans my entries. It’s a small room, painted a calming shade of blue, with a plush rug underfoot and framed pictures of peaceful landscapes lining the walls.
“Okay, Zig, let’s take a look at what you’ve been writing,” she says, her voice gentle yet encouraging. “How has your week been?”
I shift in my seat, fiddling with the hem of my oversized sweatshirt. “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster,” I admit, my heart racing slightly. “Some days are good, and others… not so much.”
Dr. Foster nods, her eyes attentive. “That’s completely normal. Let’s explore some of the specific entries you made. I see you wrote about feeling anxious on Monday.”
“Yeah,” I say, leaning forward. “I had that presentation in history class. I thought I was going to throw up.”
“Presentation anxiety can be tough,” she replies, her tone sympathetic. “What did you do to manage those feelings before you went in?”
“I tried breathing exercises,” I explain, remembering the way I focused on my breath, counting slowly to calm my racing heart. “But it was still overwhelming. I ended up stumbling over my words.”
“Stumbling is okay. It happens to everyone,” Dr. Foster reassures me, flipping to another page. “How did you feel afterward?”
“I was embarrassed,” I say, my voice dropping slightly. “But I also felt relieved it was over. That made me feel better.”
“Relief is a good feeling to recognize. It shows you pushed through a challenging moment,” she encourages, jotting down a note. “What about Tuesday? I see you wrote that you had a good day.”
“Yeah, I hung out with Sloane after school,” I explain, a smile breaking through my anxiety. “We went to the park and just talked. It felt nice to unwind.”
“Sounds like a healthy way to cope. Connection with friends can really help balance out tough days,” she says, looking at me with a warm smile. “How did you feel that day compared to Monday?”
“Way better,” I say, nodding. “I didn’t have that tightness in my chest. I just felt… normal.”
Dr. Foster’s expression softens. “Normal is good. Zig. It’s important to recognize what brings you that sense of calm.”
I shift again, the journal lying open on my lap, filled with my handwriting—some entries neat, others messy and frantic. “But I still have those really low days,” I say, my voice trailing off. “Like yesterday. I just wanted to hide under my covers and not talk to anyone.”
Dr. Foster leans in slightly, her voice gentle. “And that’s okay too. It’s part of the process. What do you think triggered those feelings?”
“Everything just felt too much,” I admit, biting my lip. “School, friends… everything. It all piled up, and I just couldn’t handle it.”
“It sounds like you’re learning to recognize your triggers,” she notes, her tone encouraging. “That’s an important step in managing your mood swings. Have you thought about what you might do differently when those feelings arise?”
“I could talk to Sloane,” I suggest, glancing up at her. “Or maybe write it out more instead of just feeling it all inside.”
“Writing it out can be incredibly therapeutic,” she agrees, flipping through a few more pages in my journal. “I see that you’ve already been doing that. It’s great to see you trying different strategies. Remember, it’s about finding what works best for you.”
I nod, feeling a flicker of hope. “I just want to get better at handling it. I don’t want my moods to control me.”
“That’s a healthy mindset,” she replies, a proud smile crossing her face. “And remember, progress isn’t linear. You’ll have ups and downs, but each step you take is a step forward. Just like we talked about with your birthday last week—embracing those moments can help you find joy, even on the tough days.”
“Yeah,” I say, my heart swelling slightly. “I had a really good birthday, actually. My family and friends made it special.”
“Good! It’s important to celebrate those moments,” she says, jotting down a note. “Let’s focus on building more of those positive experiences into your week. What can you do to create those moments?”
“Maybe plan a day out with Sloane or hang out with my siblings more,” I suggest, excitement bubbling up again. “We could do something fun together, like go to the movies.”
“Sounds like a great idea,” she replies, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. “Making plans with loved ones can help reinforce those feelings of connection and support. And don’t forget to keep journaling—it’s a powerful tool for processing your emotions.”
“Yeah, I’ll keep it up,” I promise, feeling a renewed sense of determination.
As our session winds down, I feel lighter, as though a weight has been lifted. The anxiety that had knotted my stomach seems to ease just a little. “Thanks for this, Dr. Foster. I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime, Zig,” she says warmly, gathering her papers. “You’re doing the work, and I’m proud of you. Remember, it’s all about progress, not perfection.”
I nod, feeling a surge of gratitude. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Comments (0)
See all