Janna Coleman, Licensed Professional Counselor

28/11/2023

Run the dishwasher twice. Leave your clean laundry in the basket, unfolded. Eat off of disposable plates with disposable utensils. Use that single-use item. Throw away that thing that is so dirty you cannot fathom the thought of cleaning it; buy a new one if you have to. Do what you can to survive, and then do them better when you thrive.

RUN THE DISHWASHER TWICE.

When I was at one of my lowest (mental) points in life, I couldn’t get out of bed some days. I had no energy or motivation and was barely getting by.

I had therapy once per week, and on this particular week I didn’t have much to ‘bring’ to the session. He asked how my week was and I really had nothing to say.

“What are you struggling with?” he asked.

I gestured around me and said “I dunno man. Life.”

Not satisfied with my answer, he said “No, what exactly are you worried about right now? What feels overwhelming? When you go home after this session, what issue will be staring at you?”

I knew the answer, but it was so ridiculous that I didn’t want to say it. I wanted to have something more substantial. Something more profound. But I didn’t. So I told him,

“Honestly? The dishes. It’s stupid, I know, but the more I look at them the more I CAN’T do them because I’ll have to scrub them before I put them in the dishwasher, because the dishwasher sucks, and I just can’t stand and scrub the dishes.”

I felt like an idiot even saying it. What kind of grown woman is undone by a stack of dishes? There are people out there with actual problems, and I’m whining to my therapist about dishes? But my therapist nodded in understanding and then said:

“RUN THE DISHWASHER TWICE.”

I began to tell him that you’re not supposed to, but he stopped me.

“Why the hell aren’t you supposed to? If you don’t want to scrub the dishes and your dishwasher sucks, run it twice. Run it three times, who cares? Rules do not exist, so stop giving yourself rules.”

It blew my mind in a way that I don’t think I can properly express.

That day, I went home and tossed my smelly dishes haphazardly into the dishwasher and ran it three times. I felt like I had conquered a dragon. The next day, I took a shower lying down. A few days later. I folded my laundry and put them wherever they fit. There were no longer arbitrary rules I had to follow, and it gave me the freedom to make accomplishments again.

Now that I’m in a healthier place, I rinse off my dishes and put them in the dishwasher properly. I shower standing up. I sort my laundry. But at a time when living was a struggle instead of a blessing, I learned an incredibly important lesson:

THERE ARE NO RULES. RUN THE DISHWASHER TWICE!
Also Read https://fabliyo.com/11-year-old-young-boys-selfless-act-of-kindness-rewarded-after-returning-wallet-by-hotflav-april-22-2023145010/
Credit ~ Kate Scott

23/11/2023

As we gather today, let’s try our best to limit comments about bodies and plates, both others’ and our own. Diet culture, weight stigma, and food labeling (good/bad, healthy/unhealthy) no longer deserves a seat at any table, especially on Thanksgiving. Let’s give thanks to our bodies for everything they are able to do to help us work, play, and love.

Commenting on appearance may not seem harmful, especially when it's intended as a compliment. However, it’s better to avoid the topic at all costs.

24/12/2022

17/12/2022

A gentle reminder about why you are utterly exhausted . . .

No one I know began this year on a full tank. Given the vicious onslaught of the previous two years (let’s just call it what it was) most of us dragged ourselves across the finish line of 2021 . . . frazzled, spent, running on aged adrenaline fumes . . .

We crawled into 2022 still carrying shock, trauma, grief, heaviness, disbelief . . . the memories of a surreal existence . . .

And then it began . . . the fastest hurricane year we could ever have imagined. Whether we have consciously processed it or not, this has been a year of more pressure, more stress, and a race to “catch up” in all departments . . . Every. Single. One. Work, school, sports, relationships, life . . .

Though not intentionally aware, perhaps hopeful that the busier we are, the more readily we will forget… the more easily we will undo the emotional tangle . . . the more permanently we will wipe away the scarring wounds . . .

We can’t.

And attempts to re-create some semblance of “normal” on steroids while disregarding that for almost two years our sympathetic nervous systems were on full alert, has left our collective mental health in tatters. Our children and teens are not exempt. The natural byproduct of fighting a hurricane is complete and utter exhaustion . . .

So before you begin questioning the absolutely depleted and wrung-dry state you are in—Pause. Breathe. Remind yourself of who you are and what you have endured. And then remind yourself of what you have overcome.

Despite it all, you’re still going. (Even on the days you stumble and find yourself face down in a pile of dirt).

Understanding brings compassion . . .

Most of the world’s citizens are in need of a little extra TLC at the moment. Most are donning invisible “Handle with care” posters around their necks and “Fragile” tattoos on their bodies . . .

Instead of racing to the finish line of this year, tread gently. Go slowly.

Amidst the chaos, find small pockets of silence. Find compassion. Allow the healing. And most of all . . . Be kind. There’s no human being on earth who couldn’t use just a little bit more of the healing salve of kindness.

Shared with permission from Naomi Holdt - Psychologist and Speaker

10/10/2022

Do you hate the idea of cleaning? Does that word bring about an image of standing in the middle of a room, looking around and not knowing where to start? Do you get distracted by other tasks when trying to clean a specific area, then feel like you spent hours getting nothing accomplished?

KC Davis, therapist and author of How To Keep House While Drowning, has started a new podcast that is a must-hear for all my ~neurospicy~ friends. In her latest episode, she talks about her 5 step tidying method; the difference between cleaning, tidying, and organizing; and how care tasks are morally neutral. If you like what you hear, check her out at Struggle Care on FB and Instagram, or on TikTok!

‎Show Struggle Care, Ep 04: Q&A: Housekeepers & Messy Boyfriends - Oct 9, 2022

04/10/2022

Boys can cry too.

18/08/2022

Happy Gotcha Day to our favorite therapy cat!
Repost from
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I didn’t peak in high school, I’m still out here gettin’ cuter

02/08/2022

Beautiful office-warming flowers from a dear friend. ☺️🌸🌼🌺

01/08/2022

Just a reminder that I am now in my new office in the basement of 1205 Office Park Drive, Suite A, Oxford. To find our building, look for the Oxford Specialty Clinic/Garrett Friday & Garner sign (across from Gastroenterology Associates). Follow the sidewalk on the left side of the building to the basement steps. You can also park next door at Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics and take the accessible ramp behind our building. I look forward to seeing you in this new space!

22/07/2022

FINE is NOT a feeling! Ask my clients.

Join my private group! Fun and interesting discussions!

https://www.facebook.com/becomesupporter/DrPsychMom/

23/06/2022

I had the amazing opportunity to be a guest on my friend Charles’s podcast. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as we enjoyed having it!

https://www.facebook.com/stories/1612345728883413/UzpfSVNDOjM1NzQ2NjE3MzEzMzg4Nw==/?view_single=1&source=shared_permalink

26/02/2022

21/12/2021

I am so excited to welcome Sarah O’Neal as a counselor intern in January!

It is okay to not be okay and Sarah wants to help you work through that. Counseling can be scary and intimidating, however Sarah is here to provide a safe and comfortable environment  for you to have a space to work through your experiences and feelings.

Sarah has past experience working with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings, and she enjoys helping all of her clients work through anxiety, depression, trauma, and life changes!

Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology from the University of Mississippi. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Education in Counselor Education with an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling. She is planning to graduate in August of 2022 in which she will begin working on licensure.

Interested in seeing Sarah? Feel free to contact her by phone/text at (662)812-1801 or email her at sarahholmes.seh@gmail.com

Sarah has availability starting as early as January 3rd!

15/02/2021

Stay warm and safe tomorrow!