Sarah Nordman Licensed Professional Counselor

12/06/2024

Beginning of..."Polish me SMART"-Blog
Side gig. Been on my mind for awhile

03/25/2022

❤🙏

03/19/2022

🌟🌟🌟

03/19/2022

writer's block tonight!
As accomplished as I will feel when I complete my taxes tonight, nothing comes close to feeling Spirituality fed.
I believe that only God can feed our soul. What sparks our soul is different and unique for each person. Just a nudge to everyone to continue to seek what sets your heart and soul on fire~whatever that is. I feel that people can create more problems just by not honoring their heart.

03/16/2022

03/14/2022

I have been thinking about eating disorders. While we are past the New Years Resolutions-it can be hard pushing and striving for our goals.

What I have been seeking and researching to understand is when an eating disorder becomes one and not just disordered thoughts.

I feel that body positivity is getting strong but I want to normalize working out, maybe getting frustrated, and striving for goals. We live in a society of extreme goal setting. I want to encourage healthy eating for the body, and not for vanity reasons. I feel the best way to see if someone has an eating disorder is to challenge ourselves if eating/ counting calories/working out is more important than our life itself.

There is nothing wrong with goal setting. But when the goals take the place of relationships etc that is when it becomes an issue. Eating disorders are serious and can cause irreversible harm to a person. I think it takes courage to recover. I believe eating disorders are not chronic and CBT can help tremendously.

I feel there is a lot of strength in what singer Britney Spears once said: get to her "fighting weight." I actually respected Britney Spears in this because it takes a lot of discipline to get to your ideal weight. You don't need to run and become an Influencer but I like people feeling confident.

Moreover, it takes a lot of patience and self-love to combat insecurities. I do practice what I preach. Its not easy. Normalize carbs, normalize 3 mi runs vs. marathon training, and normalize be ok with eating birthday cake at parties!

02/17/2022

2002 vs. 2022
Trying to 'fit in' in High School can be hard. But the educational system was designed to help facilitate growth during the developmental years. Except when you are in it,-it can be hard.
Did you have a cell phone in High School-I didn't! Now, even 4th graders have them!

One thing I have learned in my 30s is that I am my own destiny. I am good being who I am, uniquely me. Unapologetically me. I find beauty in what is authentic and real.

True confidence comes from within. Knowing your story, not letting someone else write a page in your book.

Side note:[ What I find funny is when I was studying mindfulness in grad school-it wasn't a well researched phenomenon. Now facebook has numerous ads for mindfulness training etc. Time really does fly.]

But what stays the same is your character, your values, your work ethic, your integrity.

I find it morally WRONG society's judgement of people who see a Counselor. Breaking down stigma barriers takes time. It takes patience.

I see a lot of people who also feel shame for being vulnerable. It takes such courage to open up! Without feeling judged.

I choose to defy beauty standards and live life and take care of myself and yes-am in the best overall health of my life at 35! I am grieving for my Dad but doing the best I can. I want to honor my Father and practice good self care.

Moreover, its ok to not have the best "makeup technique" of 2022, (I wear black eyeliner and have only 4 makeup things in my purse I use every day). Call me 'uncool' Lol
its ok to not have the most designer clothes all the time. And its ok to not be ok. You have a right to be human and that means flawed and beautiful. 💖🙏👍

02/12/2022

Reflections- As a Counselor, you can only heal and guide someone as far as you would go. I really want people to focus on self-care..because the more positive energy you have the more you can give to others!

It isn't easy to 'walk the line' of a mindful and enriched life if you (or I) try to please everyone. In effort to please everyone, someone can really lose out in the beauty and awe of life.

With V-day coming up, it can be difficult for a lot of people for different reasons. I say, every day should be 'Valentine's day.' Love everyone always. And be grateful for each day.

10/03/2021

On weekends I like to replenish my creative energy. Doesn't matter how many clients I have the next week-I have to offer therapy that's not boring but useful and sticks! ❤

Today I was thinking about this book I'm reading: "Own Your self" by MIT Psychiatrist Dr. Kelly Bogan (MD). Its empowering, deep and discusses reasons for not taking medication for clinical mental health and various health conditions.

I like to view mental health/physical health Holistically,-I think it is more challenging to do so. "Walking the line" between absorbing Medical Doctors opinions and critically thinking about your own beliefs,-professionally and personally is what I like to do. Being an "agent of change," and a resourceful person is wise.
I think its ignorant and uneducated to put a hand up defensively to things that are new or someone else's opinion.

Almost 55% of people take medications according to Dr. Bogans research. Let's not forget vaccinated or unvaccinated status...

I believe and wanted to post that I think its unhealthy and downright foolish to believe that some people can be medication free. I think that it takes bold people to counter the 'weak tree limb' of everyone is the same.
No, "everyone is not the same." Nor do we have the same background. We are all unique. And that's a good thing. If every person was the same-all cookie cutter how boring would it be? But still, someone wise once said: "there's only a 1% percent difference between people. Do with it what you please."
In summary, I believe it's a great skill to look at things through an objective lens. (Don't take things too personal). Its about "polishing up" and taking these conversations into this modern era and going into 2022 fully equipped with knowledge about Health.

06/05/2021

I don't like to just post a blog unless I believe it will be of value. ❤
Motivation and Acceptance

Motivation is a key value that Counselors work with a lot. Staying motivated and growing yourself (ourselves) is key to motivating someone else.
I have been reading a lot of blog posts on several topics regarding growth and motivation. I think that there is a balancing act between acceptance and growth which is healthy. We live in a society that stresses both. I believe we are only as tough as the constructive criticism we can handle. I have found that the badass people I want to be more like, are the most humble.

The catalyst is happiness. What should intrinsically motivate us should be creating a life we don't need a vacation away from. That is true self-care.
The values of acceptance towards ourselves is needed. But we shouldn't live in a box. We are the director of our lives and we can decide where we lie in how we view ourselves. We don't need validation from others.
We can take a wisdom chip away from others advice and not be afraid of growth. I like the quote: "we fear the thing we want the most." So whatever that is: you can be the person who Bravely jumps in the ice water like they do in Chicago (for that one dive) or take baby steps. But remember as I always do;-that if we don't bravely take a risk, we might have a regret.
Much love to all!

12/15/2020

Yes! ❤