Starting Fresh (Meet Nicki)
January is definitely over. Most new year’s resolutions have faded into the background (where they rightfully belong) until next year. That sense of bright-eyed motivation and buzzing energy from the start of the year is long gone. Some changes were made, while others remained the same. Now, here we are in Februarywondering where all that hope went. By and large, it’s like getting a new toilet but still dealing with the same shit.
Where do we go from here?
Well, one popular new year’s resolution is to start therapy – or so people say. For some, finding a therapist is harder than going to the gym. Therapy can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before. Is it like how Hollywood depicts it? Does someone just parrot “and how does that make you feel?” the entire time you’re there? How can you be vulnerable to a complete stranger? Does it even work?
Therapy, like most things, is what you make of it. Like exercise, if you want to see change, you will need to put in the work. But before you start therapy, consider what kind of therapist you want to work with. Someone authentic and relaxed or structured and formal? Therapy is a journey, and it looks different for everyone. Find a therapist that best matches what you need as a guide on your journey to healing. Settingcounseling goals and expectations come easier when you know a therapist is a good fit for you. (Believe it or not, this also applies to vulnerability!)
So, what does this have to do with the picture?
I had a plan in January, and it fell through (shocker, I know). I wanted to bring one of my favorite games into my work and justify the absurd number of hours I sink into it, but technical difficulties and life got in the way. Fortunately, I’m quite stubborn and the other Wild Cactus therapists are supportive of my shenanigans.
Now, everyone will be subjected to my favorite stress-reliever: the Sims 3. (For those who aren’t aware, the Simsis a life simulation game where you control people and situations to create stories that unfold over their lifetime. The third installment of this franchise is both chaotic and comforting. It’s also the best installment of the franchise, and I will not change my mind.)
Meet Nikki Gardner, the first Wild Cactus sim. Her parents abandoned her when she was a child, and she’s trying to understand why. She believes they will want to reconnect with her and take her back if she becomes a famous scientist. We’ll see how that works out and how she chooses to shape her narrative.
Nikki has no idea what she’s getting into (and neither do I), but she knows what changes she would like to see in her life. Similarly, therapy is a great tool to make some changes in your life, but it comes with unexpected twists and detours that will feel safer to experience with the right therapist.Whether it’s your first time or you’re reconnecting with an old therapist, it is never too late to start the process for change.
—Jasmine