I have just finished counseling with my amazing counselor and for the past eight sessions, my counselor has taught me so many things that I want to share with you all.
1. Reflecting on the past is really important
I think a popular life lesson is to focus on the present or the future, but during counseling, I had to really think about my past and how it has shaped me into who I am. It is important to be present and think about your futures, but your past is still important. Just maybe don't dwell on it too much.
2. Respecting yourself can be difficult
For me at least. My counselor helped me realize that I was worth a lot more than I was receiving.
3. Some friends are great friends, some friends are good friends, some friends aren't really worth your time
I was giving so many people emotional labor who weren't giving me the same space. I have learned to focus on the people who really care about me and want to know about my life.
4. If you're not clicking with your counselor, don't give up and even try finding a new one
My freshmen year I went to counseling and I liked my counselor, but they weren't the right fit for me so I only went to them twice. Having a counselor you really like is important because it's so much easier to tell them things you might not be willing to otherwise.
5. If your counselor suggests group counseling, DO IT!
I was so apprehensive at first, but group counseling has honestly changed my life! I think I will continue doing it for as long as I can because you learn so much about yourself and how you interact with other people.
6. It's OK to not feel OK 100% of the time
My counselor helped pull me back to earth during some of my sadder times of the year. She helped me realize that just because I was sad for a while didn't mean I was a sad person, it was just a rough patch. Being sad is a part of life.
7. Practicing healthy habits is really addicting
Once you start doing good things for yourself, you won't want to stop. It made me so happy to go into counseling and tell my counselor my progress.
8. Counseling is a really good way to track your progress
On my last counseling session, my counselor and I went over the goals I had for counseling and I realized that I had achieved them! It was honestly such a positive feeling, but also bittersweet because I have really gotten super close with my counselor.
I am so happy that I went to counseling and I encourage you to do so. Counseling doesn't have to be something you go to when you're in dire need, you can go for whatever reason and whatever reason you're going is important, so don't minimize that!
