The other day I mentioned something about my counselor to someone and they were a little shocked that I still see him. I started seeing him a few months after my ex-husband walked out. In the beginning it was a weekly occurrence, but I currently go every two to three weeks. It just depends on what is going on in my life. People have different views on counseling. I have been to a couple different ones, but I do think you need to find the right one.
The counselor I see now was recommended to me by my sister-in-law shortly after my ex left. He was previously her professor. He is a Christian counselor is less than 6 miles from me. Thank God for name came to her while I was visiting my brother and her.
He has helped me work through so many things. He isn't there to tell me what to do, but to counsel me. I have learned how to communicate better with my Mom (this is still a work in progress), understand my self doubt, find my love in music, figure out reoccurring nightmares, and so much more. He has prayed for me, answered my questions, helped me understand my reason for being open, and more.
There is and should be no shame in counseling. No matter what you are going through in life I would recommend it. However, if you are trying to get through a difficult time in life I think it is a must. It was so nice to have someone to talk to who didn't know my ex, our friends or family, or me. He didn't take sides, which I needed during that time. It was one of the best decisions I made to help heal my broken heart at the time.
Honestly, I believe it is smart to find a counselor. They help you to better understand the things you are going through and yourself. As time goes on I may start seeing my counselor less or more, but I don't see a time where I will quit seeing a therapist. I want to continue to grow and be a better me. By doing this I love myself more, which in turn allows me to give more love to those around me.
~Stephanie~
When I started this blog my goal was to show how I lost weight and the difference it had made in my life. It always felt like the success stories I saw were of someone having a revelation and dropping the weight quickly. So, I wanted to share my story about how I had lost 40 pounds over time and what I had learned. I wanted to share that small steps were okay and how positive thinking was a big component. My confidence had increased and I felt I was on the path to success and happiness.
It had taken two years for me to find my groove. Two years for me to feel good about myself, lose weight, and feel great about the direction I was headed. My first kick came when I was let go from a job I liked. It was difficult, but I kept my head up and found a new job. Two weeks into my new job my ex-husband ended our marriage with a simple "I'm done" over dinner. The next day I came home and he had packed the stuff he needed and left.
To explain what I went through during the separation and divorce is something I would never wish on anybody. I never believed or dreamed I would get a divorce. There were no answers to why he left in the beginning until months later. Needless to say after loosing my job and my marriage ending in less than four months the self confidence I had gained was gone.
I managed to get through the year and through the stages of grief when I decided to dip my toe into the dating pool about a year ago. I wasn't sure how to date since I had never really done it, but I thought I'd try. I was picky and finally agreed to meet someone. He was smart, funny, outgoing, sensitive, communicated, and more. I fell hard and fast for him and believed there was a future there. However, it wasn't meant to be and again found myself with a broken heart.
So here I am now... My self confidence low and a lot of my weight back. My confidence at the beginning of this year was probably less than what it was when this journey started originally a couple of years ago. I am healing my broken heart, rebuilding my confidence, and am working on getting this weight back off.
I have been waiting to lose weight again to start blogging again. However, I think doing this will keep me accountable. The journey is about the ups and downs. I have learned that the hard way these past couple of years. I may have fallen, but I have never quit.
I look forward to seeing all of us succeed in finding ourselves as we get healthy, mentally and physically!
~Stephanie~
