The Origin of this Blog

This morning, I woke up feeling unsettled after a night of disquieting dreams. Current events have created this feeling. As a mental health therapist, I usually handle various issues without being triggered, but last week was challenging. My clients' distress about societal divisions led to their panic, reminding me of COVID-19 times when I had to support others while managing my own anxieties, which was exhausting.

Feeling particularly strong dread today, I shared my feelings with my wife. We decided to visit the farmer's market with our dog Acorn, and the beautiful fall day helped alleviate my  down mood. I mentioned how I felt I had "shed the dread," and we both recognized the phrase's catchiness. We discussed how dread can drain energy and lead to isolation.

After returning home, I purchased shedthedread.com to share strategies for addressing societal malaise. The site will feature learnings from my therapy experiences and contributions from others on overcoming distress. Contributions are welcome as we work towards becoming more empowered, optimistic, and resilient.