Friday, April 11, 2014

Over 5 years

http://theprojectbyjudy.wordpress.com/2014/04/11/heard-a-stat/

My sister posted this stat that it takes 5 years for something to become a habit.  I agree that the 21 day time limit always seemed a little ridiculous since many a habit went by the way side on day 22.  I got thinking about 5 years.  It is now over 5 years since I integrated.  I had several situations that really challenged my ability to stay together as one.  After 5 years, my integration has stood the test of time.  I am finally getting used to thinking one set of thoughts.  I am realizing that I have other coping skills besides dissociation.  I have a tool box of possible solutions when faced with stress.  Integrated self is who I am and now I believe.  I am starting to feel comfortable in my own skin.   I was in counseling for 10 years.  Now I am out.  I am only on month 3 and feeling a bit overwhelmed.  However, if I give myself 5 years to be comfortable without counseling....will 3 to 6 months of discomfort be unreasonable?  I started counseling thinking it was a summer project...3 months at the longest.  As I delved deeper and deeper into my own mind, I realized the folly of my thinking.  It took 6 months to even begin to grasp where I was starting.  In this society of instant everything, taking time to accomplish things is called lazy or unproductive or silly.  Spending time to heal get statements like:
Aren't you over that yet?
Stop thinking about yesterday.
Move on.
Get over it.

When I had cancer surgery no one asked me to hurry up and get over it.  I still have yearly checkups 12 years later.  I have time to heal.  I am going to give myself time to form new habits of living after counseling.  My friend cheered with me when we talked about over coming major trigger without a counselor assisting me in processing the information.  As she gently pointed out, this is a big step for me.  I have another 4 1/2 years for functioning on my own without a counselor to become a habit.  I can do that. 












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