youāre going to love again, find a job again, create art again, do what you love again, feel powerful again. youāre going to be back on track. i donāt know when, but you are going to feel like yourself again, eventually. this isnāt the end. hang in there.
I forgot to mention this but, Maslowās hierarchy of needs is actually part of a larger branch of psychology called personalty psychology. This theory pertains to the humanistic approach. Which means that people have intrinsic motivations and needs. Our problems are therefore, derived from not not having the capacity to fulfil these potentials.Ā
Four areas of focus for the humanistic approach:
1. Growth
2. Free will
3. Personal awareness.
The other thinker in this area of thought is Carl Rogers. He is the one who created the idea of how a personās self-image is best when congruent with their conjured ideal self. More on that later!
I think this is a basic theory that most people have heard of. It harkens back to where we are as humans, so it is widely applied in our lives, beyond therapy but also in marketing, businessā¦ anything that appeals to wantsĀ rather than needs.Ā
Yeah, Maslowās hierarchy.
Most people know that actualisation is when you are truly living your life, making an impact ā but what does that say for the rest of us who are hanging by the skin of our teeth? For example, as I examine my needs along this paradigm, Iām stuck at level 2. Is it then such a wonder that I cannot even begin to feel safe in my relationships with others? Is it even a question to why imposter syndrome has a prevalent occurrence in my thoughts?Ā
So what do I mean by level 2? Well, it saysĀ āsafetyā through security, health and finances. I am currently earning an unsustainable salary, in which I am looking forward to improving once I complete probation and will be eligible for commissions. But as of now, that financial security is clearly absent. I am not healthy, as in I am a little overweight, and my eczema can flare-up at the drop of a hat. So no, I do not feel like my body is in control. Lastly, security in my home - well that is one of the better ones. Living in HK, the crime rates are low, yet there is a constant threat of CCPās tightening reins on what our city pride ourselves in ā freedom of speech. I can ignore it, but news is absorbed unconsciously, and with the internet, itās hard to avoid it even if you mean to, so imagine not even aggressively avoiding itā¦Ā
According to Maslow, one cannot achieve the next level without the previous being fulfilled. Yet it can be partially fulfilled ā the unfilled previous steps would manifest in the form of anxiety. This theory is very well enacted in my lifeā¦ so I wonder, does it make that much sense to you all too?Ā
I think this is a basic theory that most people have heard of. It harkens back to where we are as humans, so it is widely applied in our lives, beyond therapy but also in marketing, business... anything that appeals to wantsĀ rather than needs.Ā
Yeah, Maslowās hierarchy.
Most people know that actualisation is when you are truly living your life, making an impact -- but what does that say for the rest of us who are hanging by the skin of our teeth? For example, as I examine my needs along this paradigm, Iām stuck at level 2. Is it then such a wonder that I cannot even begin to feel safe in my relationships with others? Is it even a question to why imposter syndrome has a prevalent occurrence in my thoughts?Ā
So what do I mean by level 2? Well, it saysĀ āsafetyā through security, health and finances. I am currently earning an unsustainable salary, in which I am looking forward to improving once I complete probation and will be eligible for commissions. But as of now, that financial security is clearly absent. I am not healthy, as in I am a little overweight, and my eczema can flare-up at the drop of a hat. So no, I do not feel like my body is in control. Lastly, security in my home - well that is one of the better ones. Living in HK, the crime rates are low, yet there is a constant threat of CCPās tightening reins on what our city pride ourselves in -- freedom of speech. I can ignore it, but news is absorbed unconsciously, and with the internet, itās hard to avoid it even if you mean to, so imagine not even aggressively avoiding it...Ā
According to Maslow, one cannot achieve the next level without the previous being fulfilled. Yet it can be partially fulfilled -- the unfilled previous steps would manifest in the form of anxiety. This theory is very well enacted in my life... so I wonder, does it make that much sense to you all too?Ā
Iāve deleted my WEBTOON app because I keep spending too much on it and really, I think I could use my time a little better. Since Iām starting my counselling masters soon, I want to get to know some basics and explore the course choices. So Iām going to try and commit to reading up briefly about the therapy techniques, theories and models I find interesting down the course list as I commute to work. Follow the hashtag #maimentyb if youāre interested ;)
Today, I encountered Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Just as it reads, itās a short-term, future oriented approach to talk therapy. It can encompass elements such as worksheets and motivational interviews, emphasising on accessing innate solutions a person has.
Applications include mood disorders, family dynamics, addictions, traumaā¦ itās a pretty wide range actually! This discovery is quite encouraging because it defies the stigmatised view that therapy has to drag on for months, accumulating in huge financial and emotional tolls for everyone involved. I feel out of everything, the fact that there isnāt a set time when therapy is supposed to āstart workingā is was deters a lot of people. Meanwhile, the format of SFT can be condensed to 1 session or take from 6-8 weeks of 1 hour weekly sessions. I feel this tangibility can be very attractive, especially working with families.
Iām feeling the struggle. I thought I found a really good workplace that challenges me, yet had reasonable remuneration and expectationsā¦ big fat nope. My fault for being naive. Now, I have already quit my other more stable job part time. Iāve currently mo prospects for the next few months where my financial strain would exponentially increase due to mortgage and school tuition on top of rent. Ive been binge watching trash television as a distraction, but that hasnāt been very healthy. I really want some help.
ā ļøTrigger warning: eating disorder language. I do not have diagnosis but I do have these behaviours occasionally and Iām just trying to record it. If you are in recovery / can be triggered by ED, please refrain from reading.
I was trying to keep it together on Friday when everything blew up in my face because I had a date. He was a great distraction. But then dust settles, morning comes, and work continues. I found my face physically swelling up and developing hives throughout the day. I stress ate so much I donāt think Iāll need to even eat again today. I literally had a burger, a pizza, half a block of cheese, a can of soda and donburi in the span of about 14 hours. I havenāt binged like that since university. I feel absolutely š¤® disgusting.
I bailed on the therapist Sunday morning due to how bad the hives were and had to pay for it anyway because it was an online session with a 48h cancellation policy. And then I binged a little more, eating an entire tub of tiramisu. I even glanced at the liquor cabinet for a minute there but I am applauding myself for the small win. I didnāt drink. Instead, I just finished about 8 litres of water yesterday because I wanted to not eat anymore. But around 10pm I ordered fried chicken and Korean pancakes. Scoffed all of that down and felt worse than ever.
Iām struggling so bad and I really want to reach out to someone but I really canāt afford to right now. I also canāt move back in with my parents because I have responsibility with my pets. My ferrets donāt get along with their cats. I know I can get through this without self harming behaviours. I just need to focus on what I can do instead of what happened. You can do this!
Yet, I can sort of feel the disengagement settling in. The depersonalisation and tonic immobility is deep rooted in my trauma response. I was bullied for a while in school and it really informed how I related to any type of stress onwards. I never had directions on really solving this mental block. I can feel myself giving a pep talk about this rationally not the end of the world type of work situation. My body is responding very dramatically in contrast to what my head is processing. Are there any tips from people who experiences these things? How your eyes cannot seem to focus, and your throat is hot with a lump so you feel difficulty making soundsā¦.? I feel like Iām unreasonably hot as well - crank the AC to morgue cold.
If you read up till this point, just want to say thanks :)
Itās been a long weekend, and Iām so glad to have a break. Except I basically botched the entire experience by doing nothing but binging shows, food andā¦ wasting away. I had a few thoughts:
Gee, that project at work wiped me out didnāt it? Is this burnout?
Fuck! Iām spiralling again, should I call my therapist butā¦ what do I say?
Am I just feeling a little lonely because itās been a while since Iāve had sex? Lemme call me fwb.
Literally two days later, I remember I have medication for this type of thing. I was finding it so difficult to prioritise, it for sure felt super overwhelming. In the end, I feel guilty for not doing anything and THEN begins the spiral.
I took the medication an hour ago and now the glitching is finally calming down. I picked up my mop and cleaned the house thoroughly. Iām on a bus to a massage to really sort my back out after a few days of being a potato sack. I called someone out for a movie and dinner. I will start work again tomorrow.
Itās ok, i can take care of myself. Sometimes, thatās all I really need to hear from me.
Itās so frustrating that self care is never linear.
Itās absolutely infuriating how my condition can make me feel like I am losing time. I get home from work andā¦ itās 2am?!
I want to do better for myself and it seems so daunting. One week it feels like itās going great and the next feels like Iām crashing and burning.
I know itās about the journey but I guess itās been weighing on my mind for a while. I got completely wasted on the boat this Sunday but what I didnāt anticipate is my reaction. I had another freak out in front of my friends and they are so concerned. Exceptā¦ I donāt have recollection to what I said, therefore much less how I felt. Iād like to talk about it but given so many redacted memories, I feel blocked out by my brain.
Iām not getting enough sleep and I want to fix that part. If any other thing in my routine cannot be maintained, I hope sleep can be the one constant I fully control.
Iāve always despised waiting. Waiting for a job. Waiting for documents to process. Right now, waiting for my confirmation for my last day in my job because itās been well over a week I handed in the resignation.
Iām feeling quite anxious because I feel like Iām underperforming my potential and itās low-key making me forget how to breathe.
ā¬ļø The last point above definitely be a reaction to me taking Ritalin an hour ago despite alllllllll of above weighing in my head for the past two days.
Recently, been attending some fitness classes and trying them out, trying to forget just how awkward I feel... voila, it worked. Not awkward, laughed a lot, actually enjoyed working out and look forward to those days. šis this what growing out of something feels like?
Yes we kept our masks on the entire time.
Yes we were in a public space where people tried to have date night with a background of groaning, sweaty people.
Yes, HK is really bright with fluorescent lights, all the time.
Been looking at fwb relationships. I know I know my breakup is fresh. I want to work on myself but at the same time, being on a date with someone feels... really good. I was in a relationship where my partner did not take me on dates, did not compliment me without being sarcastic and was constantly belittled. Now, Iām seeing this person who is kind, considerate and compatible with me in bed. I donāt want a relationship, NOPE, but I feel comfortable with the idea of entering a physical partnership with someone who wants to experiment with me.
Can any woman weigh in on this? Iāve had ons before, and Iāve always hated it. I felt dirty, I felt unwanted, and I would regret. This guy, he took me to the fucking shower and gave me a nice T-shirt to sleep in, asked if I wanted breakfast the next day and we cuddled before I got out of his place. Is it just my deep ingrained patriarchal standards self regulating my self worth, thinking that I canāt be respectable if I have a purely physical relationship? Or is this... kind of normal really?