We Can (and we have, and we will continue to) Do Hard Things

I am so grateful that I read Glennon Doyle’s book, Untamed, at the start of the pandemic and learned of her mantra, we can do hard things. I don’t think I could have appreciated all of what this means, until we experienced all that has unfolded these last 21 months. And I know I’m not alone in this.

As a child, teen, and parenting therapist in Washington DC, I have been speaking this mantra session after session. I believe wholeheartedly that each individual that I meet with, even the littlest ones, are resilient beings. The amount of stress and weight that’s been put on all of our shoulders throughout this pandemic is insurmountable, and it may feel like- “how much more can I take?”

Well, I’m here to say that we will all continue to show up for ourselves. We have gone above and beyond what we thought possible in order to keep our loved ones and greater community safe during these times. Quarantine after quarantine. Test after test. Zoom call after zoom call. And now with cases surging, it may feel like we’re back to the start.

There hasn’t been another time in my career as a therapist where I have experienced the same trauma at the same time as my clients. This is a new dynamic in the therapeutic relationship. I am frequently talking to my clients about self-care. Here’s what I ask my clients and myself, and what I encourage you to ask yourself and your children. What fills you up? What helps to refuel you? What brings you joy? Pick 1 thing each day to do for yourself, and let’s encourage our children to do the same.

Please remember though, WE CAN DO HARD THINGS. We’ve done it in the past, we are doing it now, and we will continue to do so as we navigate the future. I encourage each of you, every morning over the next few weeks, to begin your day with a deep breath. Look in the mirror and recite this mantra- I can do hard things.