One of my Float House sensory deprivation traditions, is going after a monthly therapy session. Yes I have a therapist and I have seen once a month for a year and a half. Occasionally more often if I am in more need but that was mostly at the beginning. One of the many self care activities I can finally afford since becoming a RMT.
I have had many a reason to go for much of my life. I mean who doesn't?
But I also consider it a business expense like a clinical supervisor. Someone I get to know, so when challenges come up in practice or teaching, I have a professional to support my self growth and self reflection. Keeps me honest and self responsible.
It has proven to be very wise to utilize this opportunity when I'm not in crisis. So when life hits the fan personally or professionally I have a solid relationship to fall back on rather than looking for the right fit at a time of need.
Some of my most impactful sessions have been when I thought I had nothing to talk about. But one of the things I noticed was that I often felt like a vulnerable walking zombie afterwards. That feeling like you are staring through a wall constantly, unable to mobilize your awareness outside your body because there is work happening on the inside at a subconscious level. Similar to being in shock or grieving a death.
The bus was a no go. I would need to walk home. But I didn't know what to do with myself after.
Busying myself felt either impossible or counter productive. Which is when I realized floating could be the best place to go and allow the session to saturate into my psyche. The therapist I work with is very body response based, so stilling the body and mind afterwards prevents me from over-analyzing our work together or discoveries made. Feels like it allows new neuro synapses to become established, as new concepts and reactions replace the old ones.
Allows me to trust that what happened in that moment was deeply altering without me trying to cling to its memory. I can relax into the transition and re-enter the world embodying the transformation. Luckily they are 2 blocks apart!
The picture included was taken on a walk in my neighborhood. Someone was throwing out what was broken. It seemed a perfect image of sitting in the embodiment of our psyche. Letting really good concepts and ideas sink in without actively thinking about them.
#WhyWeFloat
