Thai Food Wins!

23 June - 29 June 2025

The number of clients I'm getting is finally picking up! I had SEVEN in a row on Thursday, and it was huge progress just because I wasn't as nervous leading up to it and wasn't hoping that someone canceled. Then, no one canceled, so I spent the day having an hour of supervision, then an hour gap, then seven hours of clients in a row. I wasn't even completely spent and dead at the end, and was able to watch a bit of a show but then go to bed. I thought to myself, "Hey, I don't know why I was so worried. I can do this!" And it was kind of nice to have my whole day taken up so I didn't have to be worried about how to fill in the gaps in my day with productivity, which can be even more draining. Next week, I have 21 clients on my schedule. And maybe I'll get a couple more (though of course some could cancel as well). So I'm feeling really hopeful about that. I will have to make some decisions though, about switching fully to one practice so my focus isn't divided and extra draining, which is sad because I love having the support of both supervisors but it makes sense that it needs to happen, plus it is what I agreed to when being hired on at Restored.

Well, I got my hair done for the second time and realized that I did not like the hair cut. It was super uneven, and this picture below just goes to show how awkward and uneven it falls. And the color is starting to fade so fast, turning to a copper in the light that I don't like. So, I am going to have to go back on the hunt to find another hairdresser whose haircuts I like and hopefully they can also work with me to figure out a brown color that won't fade so quickly that I like!

Also pictured below is a screenshot of my Instagram feed, which I've been working hard to rebrand. I am still at it, but it is at least looking improved little by little. I'm getting there. It's recently been brought to my attention that I have some ADHD-like tendencies, such as the desire to keep my options as open as possible, which can lead to me struggling to make decisions that shut doors, leaving me conflicted and divided and overwhelmed. I realized this has been playing a huge factor in social media. I didn't know if I wanted to use it to build up my career as a therapist and get new clients, or if I wanted to use it as a hobby/passion project, or to use it to become a popular influencer but not care as much about local clients. I've been low-key trying to do all of them at once and it's just been a lot of unfulfilling effort, anxiety, and frustration. So I decided to really hone in on ONE focus area and then use the other "passion" areas to support and add to that topic only. Plus, reassuring myself that my niches can change overtime, and my followers will go along with it because we've built a connection and it will add to their knowledge too.

On Friday, I went with my Restored team to visit Aurora Behavioral Health, and it was fun to drive over there and bond with my team. It's part of our efforts to branch out into the community and network/build up a referral base. Afterwards, I had a meeting with the owners to talk about how to help improve my client build-up and retainment so I can be more financially secure, then I had a client. I got to spend the night eating food and watching some episodes of Demon Slayer with Sean.

On Saturday, after my temple shift, I went out to lunch with Kat. She recently went through a divorce and has been struggling with some things. She knows some of my family members and is always so sweet and outgoing to me at the temple. We got to hang out and have a really good conversation. She said there were things I said that were helpful and insightful to her, and I was grateful for the chance to share some thoughts and insights. She was so kind and built me up, saying she is excited to see where I go in life and that I am so wise for my years. She hadn't really had Thai food before, but she really liked the curry! So I was pleased to convert her over the the Thai cuisine ;). She was able to share some tender things on her heart and mind, tearing up, and I was grateful for the opportunity to help bear her burdens, mourn with her, etc. God is good, giving me opportunities to love and serve as I am intentionally trying to prioritize him.

Love,

Emily Burnham