Fake it Until you Make it

As one of my professors said to us: "Fake it until you make it!" meaning...go into the therapy room and act as if...we ARE the 'experts' (even though we're not really coming totally from that perspective, but in the clients eyes, we may be seen that way) and even if, as new therapists, we don't FEEL like we know what we're doing....we have to fake it. There was a book posted on FB about the fumblings of new therapists; it's called The 7 Deadly Sins of the Rookie Therapist. I should probably read it to make sure I'm not...doing all 7 of them.

My point is, I've "made" it! The other day I was offered a position as an Adjunct Therapist at the site I've been interning at since the summer of 2010. Yay! I love it there and had secretly been wishing there was a way I could stay on once I graduate. Here it is! I'm pretty happy about the opportunity (and the fact that I'll be paid for these hours!) I will continue working in marketing research (going back full time once I graduate) while I look an opportunity in the therapy field (being an adjunct is not a full time position, so I will need something else). I'll be working lots, of course, but the good news is I'll be making a little bit of money (and hopefully more than I'm making now, which shouldn't be hard!)

Just wanted to share the good news!

Inbetween Moments

This morning, as I sat in my robe and drank my coffee as Bob headed out the door, I realized how much I enjoy the hour between when he heads out the door and when I head out the door...a mini 'Me' time, even though it is spent getting ready for work. I am alone (well, the cat would disagree) and I am preparing for the day. I generally go on the computer in-between getting dressed, making lunch, blow drying my hair, etc...

I don't get much time to be alone. On the days Bob works, I am alone for the hour between when he leaves and I leave, and typically the other time I'm alone during the week (aside from being in my car going from place to place) is Sunday afternoons. At this time, Bob will take a nap, and I usually leave the house to give him some peace and quiet. Our apartment is no more than 600 square feet, so you can't really 'go in the other room' here. Sunday afternoons I set out, sometimes without a destination, sometimes with a stop or two. The stop or two often turns into more of an adventure, as one feeling becomes the next and I get inspired to go here or there. I like these adventures! I'm thinking that the next time I have a Sunday Afternoon to Myself, I might want to have more of a plan - something new to explore or something maybe just for me. :)

Anyway. Just some thoughts during my Me Time.

Have a good day!

The Happiness Project

I'm thoroughly enjoying this book by Gretchen Rubin. I've seen it all over the place lately and discovered that I could borrow it from the library via Kindle! I have it for two weeks, so I'm plowing through. GR has some really great ideas; the question that keeps popping up in my mind as I read is...how does she have TIME for all of these resolutions, as the mother of two small children and a writer on the side? She doesn't stay up late, because one of her resolutions is to go to bed early :) And, how does she remember what they are? (She has monthly resolutions, and also has a chart).

A few that have stuck out for me:

Do good, feel good
If it can be done in less than one minute, do it now!
Extreme Nice :)
Bring people together
Make 3 new friends
Be a treasure house of happy memories
Make time for play
If you can't get out of something, get into it (submitted by one of her blog readers)

The chapter on money made me uncomfortable, so I should probably read that one a few times, ha ha! She says her family is financially comfortable, so her attempts to "spend out" didn't necessarily resonate totally with me (I'm far from financially comfortable, so I won't be writing checks to organizations I'm fond of quite yet. That's certainly a charitable and thoughtful act I can aspire to one day!) She discusses 'under spenders' and 'over spenders'...I'm not even sure where I fall but I'd guess I'm somewhere in the middle, or somehow kind of twisted up in both? She decides to stop spending in one area...for me that will probably be clothes shopping :) I like to do it and don't think I actually do it 'too much' except for the fact that I do it 'more than my budget allows'. So, I need to pay more attention to my money and remember her thoughts on buying...as it's often based in instant gratification...that soon wears off...

I've been thinking a little bit about what truly makes me happy. Like Gretchen, I have to actually THINK about it; which suggests I'm more in a routine of life than a tuned in response to MY life...what makes ME happy? I've come up with a few things so far, and I know there are tons more...

Doodling/Drawing
Cuddling with my cat
Hiking (especially in winter!)
Reading for pleasure
Baking on Sundays
Practicing yoga
Celebrating the holidays/honoring my memories of the holidays?

Yesterday I spent most of the day with my four year old niece (my two year old nephew was around part of the time until he went to work with Daddy). She and I spent at least a couple of hours doodling and drawing together. It was more fun than I would have even guessed; I was very much into the moment and enjoying her company and creativity (and comments on my drawings, ha ha). I spent time with a favorite person doing a favorite thing...and Playing with a capital P! :)

I'm in agreement with Gretchen that a personal 'Happiness Project' is not selfish...but a true exploration and a way to give something to others...it's not 'giving' if I am just thoughtlessly throwing parts of my 'self' out at the world. Knowing where I'm coming from allows me to choose and contribute the gifts I'd like to contribute...with control and gratitude and happiness :)

What makes YOU happy?