Back to therapy
I've returned to therapy after almost a year. My journey began in summer 2020, after reading "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb while I was in Turkey, navigating the changes brought on by Covid and my PhD life.
The first few sessions were transformative. At the age of 29, I discovered aspects of myself and my personality that I had never understood before.
I continued therapy with my first therapist for about two years, finding immense support, especially during the challenging period of the academic job market from September 2021 to March 2022.
Considering that professional athletes have therapists to support them through demanding times, why shouldn't we, when facing our own life's challenges?
After my job search, I took a break from therapy.
Then, after about a year, I started seeing a therapist in Singapore to help adjust to several changes in my life:
Being a faculty member instead of a PhD student.
Working at NUS rather than UCL.
Living in Singapore instead of London.
Being an expat in Asia rather than Europe.
Adapting to change is hard for everyone. I'm glad I took the step to find support in Singapore.
After around 10 sessions in three months, my therapist felt I was ready to conclude our sessions, so we did.
Almost a year later, I felt the need for a few therapy sessions again, mainly to feel heard.
My therapist in Singapore is excellent. She's kind, understanding, and helps me identify and work through distorted emotions, feelings, and thoughts.
I share this story because I once read that therapy is an essential tool for personal development. If you're without it, you're missing out.
I'm proud to have this tool in my life.
A Note for Those Starting Their Career:
I've realized that colleagues aren't your friends. They might be nice, but it's different. Be cautious when sharing your thoughts and feelings. Opening up makes you vulnerable, and while vulnerability can be powerful, choose wisely whom you open up to.
So, sharing every thought with colleagues isn't always possible, yet I understand the deep need to be heard—I feel it too. Consider therapy. A skilled therapist can provide a space where you're listened to, allowing you to express yourself without the risk of feeling exposed or vulnerable at work.
Cheers,
Sidika
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