Sunny Wellness of Honey

Quick Takeaways for Those Who Don’t Want to Read the Whole Thing

Hello, my honeybees! Many of you have been reading my blog from the onset. Initially, it focused mainly on my yoga practice insights. It has since shifted into the mental health realm, which is my professional career. My posts have always focused on where clinical psychology meets everyday life. Over time, I have noticed something important. The posts that resonated the most were the ones that incorporated storytelling. They also seemed more personal.

I love exploring new avenues. It is the new year with all of its “fresh start” energy. So, I thought it would be nice to move to the next chapter for this blog. This applies both literally and figuratively. Yes, mental health therapists are professionals with a lot of education and experience in our toolbelts. We are also humans that have hobbies and one of my hobbies is reading. That is why I am bringing books into the foray. I hope nothing reads like a motivational poster. I will review books through the mental health lens. I’ll use them to introduce clinical concepts in ways that won’t bore you or me.

In my work, my days involve listening to people’s stories. I observe their patterns and defenses. I also hear the things they are afraid to say out loud. When I peruse social media, I read the comments that applaud what the poster may be saying in the video. The commenters agree and did not have the words to say themselves. In many of my sessions with clients, books are recommended. These books can be clinical or fiction. This depends if they align with the needs of the client. There are so many stories where the characters’ experiences and thought processes mirror my clients’ lives. I am making this change now because I want to make my blog more dynamic, more relatable, and more accessible.  Humans understand themselves through story, hence storytelling being in existence prior to the written word. We have fables and children’s tales. We heard about the “moral of the story” because stories have always existed to teach us about life. It did not matter whether they were true or not.

This is still a mental health blog, the clinical foundation will not be leaving. The only thing that is changing is the delivery method. This will be just as new for you as it will be for me. And my hope that it will continue to evolve. Stories make room for nuance. When a character makes a decision similar to one the reader has made, it becomes easier for readers to understand their own life choices. This gives the reader words they might not have found on their own. This can help when dealing with various life situations. These include grief, shame, conflict avoidance, and anxiety. It also covers pregnancy, heartbreak, falling in love, or career stress.

This shift in direction is not about abandoning the past, more learning from it, and expanding the conversation. So here’s to the new year, new chapters, and new stories and how we will grow from it.