#52: Navigating "Therapy Speak"
Plus what Ukraine means for the world, how to spend a day off, and some visual escapism
Hey there,
Happy Presidents’ Day and Happy (I hope) long weekend!
Usually, Chris and I would be traveling somewhere with this extra day off, but after a busy start to the year we decided to stay in NYC this weekend.
I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I have FOMO watching the plethora of Instagram stories at the [insert beach/ski mountain/European getaway here]. But I will also admit that the forced pause is kind of nice, even if it includes digging my way out of a pile of laundry I’ve done an excellent job of avoiding until now.
Whatever you’re up to today, I hope you’re enjoying the time off.
Until next week,
-Gretchen
Something to Follow: The Crisis in Ukraine
Tensions at the Ukrainian border are at a breaking point. Over the weekend, Russia continued to amass forces, with an estimated total 190,000 troops now assembled near Ukraine—the most significant military mobilization in Europe since World War II.
On Sunday, President Biden agreed in principle to meet Russian President Putin, provided that Russia abstain from any incursions into Ukraine. However, Monday morning, Moscow alleged that it had attacked Ukrainian personnel found inside Russian territory. Kyiv has refuted the claims, which are broadly considered to be a Russian pretext for war.
Should a full-scale conflict break out, the geopolitical consequences would be far-reaching. Economically, the U.S. has made clear that any attack by Russia would mean sanctions that would halt the supply of natural gas from Russia. (For a great read on the environmental effects of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, check out Planet Days.) A conflict would also impact Ukraine’s agricultural and mining exports, namely iron, grain, and corn.
Politically, some experts have argued that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is most concerning because of what it might suggest about a shifting world order. While China has expressed some desire to protect ties with the U.S., Xi Jinping’s ties to Vladimir Putin have grown concerningly closer.
In short, while Ukraine may feel far away, the entire global community has a stake in the game. Thankfully, diplomacy is not off the table.
Something to Consider: Navigating “Therapy Speak”
Lately, it feels like every time I read the news, there’s a piece about mental health. Last week alone, the Times ran this article on burnout, the Post published this piece about high-functioning depression, and the Journal reported on the declining efficacy of anti-depressants — and that’s just a sampling.
So, when I finally sat down to read a piece by the Times’ former Gender Editor Jessica Bennet, titled, If Everything Is ‘Trauma,’ Is Anything?, it made me pause. Bennet’s piece focuses on the language of harm around dating, in particular. But her underlying question — To what degree is the increasingly powerful language we use around mental health justified? — is broadly applicable.
Often, mental health articles are written with a self-help angle, a sort of invitation to apply the principles within to our own experiences. This can be a slippery slope. As Bennet put it:
“There are plenty of horrible things going on in the world, and serious mental health crises that warrant such severe language. But when did we start using the language of harm to describe, well, everything?”
There is no denying that we have all experienced, to varying degrees, a collective anguish over these last few years. Recent CDC statistics around burnout, depression, and anxiety are sobering, to say the least, and having conversations about mental health and associated treatments is critical to ensure that those who need help don’t suffer silently. That being said, Ms. Bennet’s piece does raise questions worth considering:
In what contexts is “therapy speak” helpful?
To what extent does misplaced mental health language cheapen the experiences of those suffering from clinically diagnosed illnesses?
And, is it possible that the mischaracterization of experiences as traumatic can become self-fulfilling prophecies for those who might be otherwise okay?
I’m not a professional, and I don’t have an answer for everyone. But I have found it helpful to ask these questions of myself, at least. It’s a difficult line. In some cases, using language to name emotions or experiences can help to take away their power. Yet, using language in the wrong way can strip it of its nuance and complexity.
So, then, how do we give ourselves grace because things are undeniably still difficult and weird (because yes, that is important!), while also learning to live with the difficult and weird?
Like most things, asking ourselves the right questions is a good place to start.
Something to Consume
What To Do With A Day Off
Step One: Actually take it off.
The Problem With Finish Lines
Gretchen Rubin on how to make a habit last.
The Quiet Joys of the Very, Very Early Morning Club
A great perspective and some good laughs.
Something to Inspire
Nothing wrong with some good, old-fashioned escapism.
Daniel Tacconelli/Sotheby’s International Realty via The Wall Street Journal