Ready to Bloom? Don’t sit back & smell the roses

Spring is around the corner.

I tend to think of this as our behind-the-scenes season in Nova Scotia. While Spring may conjure images of flowers gently blooming, docile bunnies, and unassuming butterflies, it’s all a bit … misleading.

Those soft pastel colours.

Fuzzy baby animals balancing on fragile legs.

Tender petals deftly unfolding into an impossibly perfect blossom.

Spring is about growth. And growth takes grit.

If only it were so peaceful. So easy.

Spring is nature’s way of saying: alright, your turn!

Similarly, therapy appointments can be an opportunity for your turn – for growth.

In therapy, growth is tantamount.

Growth could mean learning new coping strategies, developing more balanced ways of thinking, doing things that are important to you, or showing up to your first session.

Indeed, growth can be different for each of us.

Growth is a-many splendor things, but I wouldn’t say it’s peaceful. And it’s rarely easy.

Growth takes strength.

Growth has teeth.

Like the expression:

“The best view comes after the hardest climb”. Growth may be challenging …and it’s worth it.

Think about it: are there many worthwhile people or things in your life that fell into your lap with absolutely no effort and with zero difficulty?

Many of us feel our most meaningful accomplishments, or the things we’re most pleased about, were some of the most challenging and trying experiences of our lives:

-        Walking the stage to graduate

-        Crossing the finish line of a marathon or beating our Personal Best

-        The Ta-Da moment as you present a homecooked meal with flourish

-        Raising your children to be good, kind, respectful human beings

-        Standing up for yourself against You Know Who

You get the idea.

These examples of feeling proud, accomplished, content, or aligned with your values are all areas of growth.

Spring into Growth

Growth happens in therapy when clients have their lightbulb moment or when they’re ready and willing to make changes. Sometimes this happens during the first session, but often it takes time to warm-up to the idea of pushing past the security of Comfort Zone. But once clients settle into the notion of dipping a toe into Growth Zone, the magic happens.

Growth can be surprising, tough, and uncomfortable. It might need multiple attempts and troubleshooting.

And it’s almost always meaningful, motivating, exhilarating, and important.

So yes – growth has teeth. Maybe it’s time to take a bite out of life.

Ready to Bloom?

Whether you're planting the seeds, pushing through the dirt, or finally seeing some buds, your growth journey is happening, or waiting for one teeny toe into the Growth Zone.

If, like most things that grow in the Spring, you also need a little support to grow as well, therapy might be the right mix of sun+water+soil to help clear out the mental weeds and get to your bloom.

Dr. Jenn

Registered Clinical Psychologist, Ph.D., (green-thumbless growth guru)

Red Chair Psychology

217-35 Bloom Lane, Bedford Nova Scotia

902-517-1057 |  admin@RedChairPsychology.com