Where did summer go!? I'm not originally from Alaska, but definitely consider it home! If there is one thing I have learned over my 13 or so years in the state, is that SUMMER is a golden gem. A golden gem many, if not most, unequivocally missed this year.
This past "summer" was definitely one for the books! As a therapist, summers are usually the quiet times. Everyone is busy doing ALL the things that Alaskans love...
Fishing 🎣
Camping 🏕
Photography 📸
Home projects 🏡
Gardening 🥕
Taking doggos 🐕 to the beach ⛱️ to 1go swimming.
Berry picking 🍓 🫐
State Fair 🎡
Farmer's markets 🍆 🥔 🥦 🥚 🌼
SO much to do, in such a small period of time!
We are invincible in the summer.
We don't need 100° days, but we DO need those 3-4 months to take it ALL in, relax, all while staying busy doing ALL the things we can't do in the winter.
What we do need is the ☀️ SUN. That brightness, warmth,.... and encouragement.... reminding us that all will be well in the 🌎 world, despite dealing with nine months of dark, cold, snow, wind,... and all the other elements that Alaska throws at us.
This summer my caseload did not get smaller like it typically does. I didn't get nearly as many cancelations or reschedules. What I did get, is a wide array of clients that needed to mourn the loss of our summer!
This was a tough one for many, including myself. I validated my clients feelings, and I openly shared the struggles that so many of us were having, including myself. There were not many words to be said, and sometimes, "It truly sucks," was ALL that COULD be said!
I'm not sure what old man winter has in store for us, but I know I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, we will catch a break and have a milder winter (last year was brutal!).
Whether you are grieving the loss of summer, a pet, a friend, family member, a dream that never came to fruition.... know that I am here for you.Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help.. your feelings are valid, NO matter the situation.
