In-person visit with my trauma T went well after 1.5 years virtual (-:

[megalocardia]

I have gone through a LOT of growth this year - I started college which has been a lifelong dream of mine. It plus working left me in the psych ward (a TERRIBLE one) and learning I couldn't do both. I tried reducing my hours a few times and ultimately quitting my job - the entire time so overwhelmed with life, constantly triggered and meltdowns. I just finished my semester, I was only taking one class but I made an A in it! Anatomy! (-: And the whole semester this one art project was a huge aching point for me and learning about my perfectionism in some regards that I never knew I had, but I finished the project, made an A in and, and despite turning it in with 4 undone pages I got a 94 and my professor said it's the BEST project (of this specific one) that she has ever received, and if I wanted to finish it she would love to keep it as an example for all her students going forward (-':

All that to say, my wife and I drove the several hours to see my therapist IRL for an extended session and show her my project that she was really important in helping me finish (I dedicated it to my wife and to her, my therapist). I have felt SO many emotions, in her office during the session, leaving, after waking up, all day today. A lot to navigate but I'm proud I went and it went well.

I do have some grief over not being able to go in person more often - Something about being in the office of a therapist I've come to know and fully trust over the last couple of years felt so /safe/ in a way that I never had as a child, and safe in a way that it was someone else's "space" to keep me safe in. Not like my house.

But since this is an accomplishments area I wanted to focus on the positive, and that's that I overcame a LOT of obstacles this year and they really panned out well in my favor, even though there were so many hurting painful and hard moments along the way. And also it was so, so nice to finally hug my therapist and hear her say she was proud of me in person (':

 

[Riley Jones]

Wow, what an incredible year of growth you've powered through! Getting that A in Anatomy while juggling so much, and then knocking it out of the park on your art project—especially with your prof calling it the best she's ever seen? That's huge! I love how you dedicated it to your wife and therapist; it sounds like such a meaningful full-circle moment. And driving hours for that in-person session after 1.5 years virtual? The pride and safety you felt there really shines through, even with the bittersweet grief about distance. You've overcome so many hurdles, and it's inspiring to see how it's all panning out so beautifully. Hugs to you and your wife—super proud of you too! What's next on your horizon?