2024 Reflections

Hello everyone!

I hope this message finds you well amidst the busyness of the holiday season! Lately, I’ve found it a bit harder to stay motivated—anyone else feeling the pull toward hibernation mode? It took me a bit longer than usual to put this newsletter together, but I’m leaning into the season’s slower pace. If you’re feeling the same, I hope you can take a moment to acknowledge all the hard work you’ve put in this year. Here’s to embracing the quieter moments, finding joy in being present, and letting go of the idea that rest isn’t productive.

This month marks two years since I started Mindful Therapy Collective, and this milestone, along with the end of the year, has given me a natural opportunity to reflect. It’s been a journey full of growth, connection, and so much learning. In honor of this milestone, I’m sharing some reflections from my journey as a therapist and practice owner in this newsletter. I hope they resonate with you.

Thank you for being here; I’m so grateful for you!

All the best,

Mandy

MENTAL HEALTH CHECK-IN
6 Lessons I’ve Learned on Healing & Growth as a Therapist

1. Expressing emotions is a sign of strength, and vulnerability takes courage.

2. Sometimes, even with good intentions, the impact of our actions can still be hurtful.

3. We are all flawed, and striving for perfection often leaves us feeling inadequate.

4. Anxiety tends to create stories or problems that rarely reflect reality.

5. Empathy is a skill that takes practice and is one of the most powerful ways to make someone feel seen and heard.

6. We have a far greater capacity to heal and cope with difficult things than we imagine.

MEDIA
All of the Emotions for the End of the Eras Tour

I’ve been a Taylor Swift fan—or Swiftie, as we call ourselves—since her debut album when I was a teen. There’s something incredibly special about following an artist from the very beginning and growing up alongside them. Last year, I had the privilege of seeing her on the Eras Tour, and I can confidently say it was the most incredible concert I’ve ever experienced.

With her two-year tour officially coming to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what it has meant to me and to millions of others. Even if you don’t consider yourself a fan, it’s undeniable that Taylor Swift and the Eras Tour have left a cultural mark. The tour created a sense of unity and connection, with simple but meaningful gestures—like trading friendship bracelets with strangers, which grew into a beautiful tradition.

Taylor is not just a phenomenal performer; she’s a masterful storyteller. Watching her perform for over three hours, night after night, is a testament to her dedication, strength, and love for her fans. She finds unique ways to connect with her audience, whether it’s choosing a younger fan to give her hat to during “22” or pausing mid-song to advocate for fans’ safety with security. Her gratitude and care are always apparent.

What makes Taylor even more remarkable is her willingness to show vulnerability. Performing songs from her lived experiences, she doesn’t shy away from sharing raw emotions with her audience. As someone who’s been a fan since her early days, seeing her perform in a small venue as a teen and now in sold-out stadiums has been surreal to witness.

The tour wasn’t just about the music—it was about connection and healing. Watching friends, siblings, and mothers and daughters sing together, and fans from different generations bond over shared experiences, was profoundly moving and something I’ll always cherish.

So, thank you, Taylor, for the memories and for showing us the beauty of connection through storytelling and music. I hope you give yourself the self-care and rest you deserve after such an extraordinary journey.

READ
6 Ways To Be Kind To Your Body During The Holidays

Learn more at The Good Trade.

LISTEN
🎙️ Surviving the Holiday Season

On this episode of ShrinkChicks, hosts Emmalee Bierly, LMFT, and Jennifer Chaiken, LMFT, are addressing holiday stress by answering listeners’ questions and offering tips for protecting your peace during the season. Listen here.

Today’s Affirmation

RESOURCES
Books

• Pause, Rest, Be: Stillness Practices for Courage in Times of Change by Octavia F. Raheem.

• You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay.

• Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown.

If you're in Maryland or DC and looking to discuss therapy options, you can find me at Mindful Therapy Collective.