Time to get real and vulnerable.
My mind goes: Ugh! Why?!? It's hard.
Writing blog posts, being visible in social media content, reaching out to new colleagues: These are all professional development activities that are part of my job to collaboratively grow an inclusive mental health practice.
These tasks don't come naturally to me.
I've struggled for months to self-manage administrative tasks, get a rhythm working, and hold myself accountable to my professional development goals. I figure out a system that works for a little bit, then when life gets busy that system falls to the wayside....
Which brings me here, today, to writing this blog post as I sip my refreshing 2 PM Diet Coke and side-eye the growing pile of dishes in my sink. My mind floats back to a saying often present in staff meetings at Divergent Path Wellness: Done is better than perfect.
I said it! One more time: Done is better than perfect.
I'm writing this blog post thanks to my good friend RSD, or rejection sensitivity dysphoria for my fellow neurodivergent folks that struggle with RSD. I want you to know that you are not alone.
For neurodivergent folks, especially ADHDers like myself, RSD can feel like a destabilizing gut punch when the prospect of criticism even comes to mind. Writing blog posts, making public-facing short videos of myself, reaching out to other therapists - it all opens me up to being criticized and digs into my fear of getting it wrong. And yet, I'm here doing it anyways.
Are you also wondering why the heck I'm doing these things?
One of my central values is growth and one of the core elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, the kind of inclusive therapy I offer at Divergent Path Wellness, is workability. It's not about doing things perfectly or never struggling. It's about taking action to move us closer to what truly matters: our personal values. Avoiding tasks because they're uncomfortable or unfamiliar doesn't bring me closer to the person or therapist I want to be. So here I am, showing up.
Vulnerability can be challenging. It's also a necessary ingredient in showing up. Showing up is messy. I'm often worried I'm going to say the wrong thing or write a blog post that sucks. However, I'm learning that taking imperfect action brings me closer to my goals compared to taking none at all.
If you're dealing with RSD or that insidious fear of messing up, you're not alone. We're all just doing our best, showing up, and moving toward what matters, even if we're scared of not getting it "right."
Before I overthink it, I'm going to hit publish because done is better than perfect.
Hannah Dickey LMSW
Inclusive therapist specializing in supporting LGBTQ+ ADHDers
Supervisee in social work at Divergent Path Wellness
If you are seeking an inclusive therapist like Hannah in Virginia click the link below to schedule your free consultation.
Not in Virginia? Check out https://inclusivetherapists.com
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