Session 188: Wrapping Up 2020

Session 188: Wrapping Up 2020

Dr. Joy: Hey, y’all! Thanks so much for joining me for Session 188 of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast. We are finally at the finish line, y’all. 2020 is almost over and I hope that you had some time recently to rest, eat some good food, laugh, connect, and just take some time for yourself.

For the past couple of days, I have indulged deeply in spending time with my family and catching up on my playlist, including Bridgerton, The Flight Attendant, Soul and Sylvie’s Love. I’m currently looking for my next watch, so if there’s something that you’ve watched recently that I need to add to my list, hit me up on Twitter @HelloDrJoy and let me know what to watch next.

I’ve also been spending some time thinking about the whirlwind 2020 has been. Something I’ve been working on with my therapist is being able to do a better job of processing things as they happen as opposed to storing it all up to process later. I felt like so much has happened this year that it’s been difficult to do that in real time, which is probably why I’ve been thinking about it lately, now that my schedule is slower and I have a little more downtime. I’ve spent some time thinking about how this year has changed me in ways that I can see and probably lots that I can’t see right now, and what happens next year as so much still feels uncertain and precarious.

I’ve made myself a list of 12 questions to journal about and, of course, I want to share them with you. You’re welcome to write them down but we’ve also made a handout for you that you can download. You can text the word Questions to 504-499-0663 and you’ll get a download sent to you. That number is 504-499-0663, and just text the word Questions.

As with all of my props, I invite you to find some time in the beginning of your day or at the end, to write. Try not to get too in your head about what you’re writing. It’s not an assignment but more an exercise in bringing what’s inside, out. By no means do you need to ponder on or write about all of these things in one sitting; take as much time as you need and it doesn’t need to even be done by January 1. You can do this on your own time.

How are you really feeling? When you think about what 2020 has been and what 2021 might be, what comes up for you?
What was most difficult for you about 2020?
What brought you joy this year?
What helps you to feel safe?
What surprised you about yourself this year?
What surprised you about others this year?
How are you planning to take care of yourself next year?
How do you know when you’ve overextended yourself? What are the signs?
What boundaries need some readjusting in the new year?
What additional supports have you recognized would be helpful?
How can you help make a difference in your community next year?
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?

I know that last year we talked about choosing a word or a theme for the new year, I’ve not done that yet this year. I mean I’m not sure if I will. I’m not quite feeling like I’m ready to choose a word for 2021, but if that’s something that you’re going to do then I think that that would be a good idea, to journal about that as well.

So, these are the questions I’m writing about but y’all always have great questions, too. If there are other things that you’re reflecting on as we wrap up 2020, if you’re comfortable, please share them with us on social media using the hashtag #TBGinSession. And don’t forget to text two sisters in your circle right now so that they can check out this episode as well.

If there’s a topic you’d like to have us cover next year on the podcast, please submit it to us at TherapyForBlackGirls.com/mailbox. If you’re looking for a therapist in your area, be sure to check out our therapist directory at TherapyForBlackGirls.com/directory. If you’re looking for a place to just be yourself or to connect with other sisters in your area, come on over and join us in the Yellow Couch Collective where we take a deeper dive into the topics from the podcast and just about everything else. You can join us at TherapyForBlackGirls.com/YCC. Thank you all so much for joining me again this week. I hope that you have a peaceful remainder of 2020 and a joyful entrance to 2021. I look forward to continuing this conversation with you all, real soon. Take good care.