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Belongs to: Sleep Token Take My Back To Eden - A Mental Health Masterpiece? - Album Review Part 1
I’m a youth counselor, and even though I’ve been through a lot myself and am in a fortunate position to be able to help others, I’m still young and have a lot of life ahead of me. It always hurts when I’m able to talk to others about relationships and personal struggles, but I can’t seem to make myself okay. This album have touched me so deeply because it speaks so well to the feelings of not being able to move on from something and blaming yourself. I’m also a metal vocalist and Vessel’s voice makes me want to sing every time I hear it.
Sometimes people expect me to give advice or guide them through something, which is fair. I try not to give instruction as much as give them new perspectives. But when I need help and someone says they don’t know how to help, I always just ask them to listen. It’s usually more than enough. It takes a lot of energy to listen, though, and it’s hard. That’s why it’s a job haha
Thank you so much for sharing here. What you say has so much truth to it. We can be great at listening to others, helping others and still not fully be able to help ourselves through the same types of things we help others through. I think that is why we really need community and to do this life together. Listening is such a huge job. Especially when we are listening with intentionality and being truly present. And you are so very right, it really can be more than enough to just be heard. Again, thank you for sharing with us.
Hi Friend, Thank you for posting here, for using this opportunity to share your feelings and thoughts, to allow us to listen to you if only for a moment here the way you do for many others.
It can be hard to be that person, that ear on the end of everyones problems so to be surrounded by other people that can acknowledge, understand, appriciate and have compassion for is so wonderful and I hope that we can do that for you if you have not got that already. Thank you again for posting. Lisa x
It’s interesting how we can feel equipped to help others, but have much more of a hard time dealing with out own struggles, isn’t it? It makes sense though, and I hope you know it doesn’t indicate in any way that you would be a fraud or preaching things to others that don’t resonate as genuinely true to you. It’s just that dealing with things when we are emotionally involved is a lot more complex than when we are, somehow, an observer from the outside.
As you said so very well, listening is a job in itself, and it can be really draining at times. I have no doubt that you are doing your absolute best and you seem very thoughtful regarding your boundaries as well as others – which is such a strong sign of respect and maturity. People sometimes expect a unique solution or response because they feel this urgent need to make their situation better. But the reality of most situations is that it takes time to process them, and having allies by our side makes a huge, huge different. You are a strong ally to these young people, and you make a significant difference in their life. You are also so very thoughtful in respecting their own sense of agency, their right to decide for themselves – which is honestly not something given, including in professional spheres. I am a trained social worker and in my previous job I have seen professionals having the savior complex, and destroying themselves because of it. In listening, there is a part of letting go and recognizing one’s right to determine themselves, that is fundamental.
Thank you for what you do, and hopefully you also keep taking care of yourself. Helpers need help themselves, and that is completely okay - especially if you are meant to hear about stories and situations that can be difficult, or emotionally taxing. <3