21 Lessons From 21 Therapy Sessions
What healing, honesty, and showing up for yourself have taught me
Hey Friend!! Welcome back to the Big Adventure Club. I hope the sun is shining wherever you are ☀️
This week kicked off my first of five peak weeks leading up to my June marathon, which means I’m officially entering 19–22 miler territory. I also started planning my first backpacking trip of the year (finally!), and honestly, the sunshine this weekend in Bend completely re-energized me. I hope something has filled you up this week too.
Let’s get into this week’s Mindful Musing, a little reflective and a lot real:
Mindful Musing
21 Lessons I’ve Learned From 21 Therapy Sessions
Today, I had my 21st therapy session. That’s 21 hours of sitting in the hot seat: feeling vulnerable, unpacking childhood patterns, reframing beliefs, and trying to understand myself just a little more clearly.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’ve learned, and here are a few takeaways that have stuck with me lately:
I’m sensitive, and sensitivity is not a flaw. It means I feel deeply, notice details, and can read a room before words are even spoken.
You get what you put in. Therapy isn’t magic. The more honest I am, the more I grow.
I still want to hide things from my therapist sometimes. But acknowledging that resistance helps me move through it.
It’s okay to wish your family were different. But you also have to accept what’s actually possible. Mourn what isn’t, then move forward.
I can cry. I can cry in front of others. It doesn’t make me weak. It makes me human.
I’m a (recovering) perfectionist and people pleaser. I don’t need to earn love or acceptance by being everything for everyone.
I can only control my own actions and reactions. That’s it. Everything else is outside my hands.
If I want something, I need to communicate it. People aren’t mind readers, no matter how badly I want them to just know what I need.
Communication takes practice. It’s awkward at first, but it gets easier.
Never assume malice. Most people are doing their best, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Everyone is struggling with something, even if it doesn’t show on the surface.
My emotions aren’t wrong. They’re data, not directions. I get to decide what to do with them.
Boundaries don’t make me mean or cold. They make me safe, loving, and sustainable.
Validation is nice, but self-trust is even better. Not everyone will agree with me, and that’s okay.
Sometimes I’m afraid of being “too much,” but shrinking myself never feels good either.
Some of my fears are in my head, like the fear I overshare. Most people are grateful for realness.
When you meet someone new, your goal isn’t to make them like you. You’re also seeing if they fit you.
Joy doesn’t need to be earned. I don’t have to check every box before I allow myself rest, play, or fun.
My worth isn’t tied to how productive I am or how impressive my accomplishments sound.
Grief can exist even in the presence of gratitude. You can love people and still wish things had been different.
Healing isn’t linear. Some weeks I feel like I’m thriving, and others I feel like I’m back at square one. Both are valid.
The biggest lesson of all? Therapy won’t “fix” you, but it will help you see yourself more clearly. And that’s where real growth starts.
If you’re in therapy too (or thinking about starting), I’d love to know:
What’s one lesson it’s taught you so far?
Or maybe just something you’re currently unlearning?
Let’s keep growing together. 💙
Leaving Notes
I hope you’re doing well and taking care of yourself. I appreciate you more than you know!
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See you in the next adventure!
Happiest Outside,
Lauren (@laurensbigadventure)