Couch Fiction
Story By Philippa Perry
Art by Junko Graat
I fell out with books due to lazyness on my part so felt that a book on my new interest, psychotherapy, was the way back.
This isn't a essay or a lecture. It felt like a more approachable look at what can a closed and frightening career and choice. The characters act as just a medium so that we can place ourselves there.
James is, to the observing world, a fully formed and well respected person who has intellectual and financial wealth. He is a warming person who seems rather grounded despite a very nice pay check and a 'well-to-do' background. And here it comes... The 'but' you'll all sensing...
But...
Kleptomania. The irrational and unwarranted act of stealing.
Pat is a therapist who we perceive this tale through. And like James, isn't snobby or arrogant, but likeable and... Human.
Pat reminds the reader, loudly and then subtly, that therapy is a form of friendship where a unique openness and ease is brewed: it isn't just emotions on James' side. Pat is human, sometimes rushing ahead and not managing to bracket her brackets but she gently guides us (James, the reader and herself) through therapy, the wanderings, anxiety and breakthroughs. The moment where, even I smile as something simply obvious is seen for the very first time.
It gives a realistic view, that counselling with cause pain before the biggest solutions and rewards are released and.
The end is a heartwarming tale where the cycle of therapy continues and the friendship is halted - a therapist is not a friend.
The book ends, like this review, with a quote from Prof Susie Orbach 'I loved it. I smiled and laughed. And nodded. One to read for sure'
The format of Life
Two posts in one night - lucky hey!
I've cheered up and had time to reflect upon my earlier post. Emotions are very 'knee-jerk' at times.
Sometimes it annoys me how strong and painful my emotions are at that moment and yet hours or days later it can be seriously petty and minor. So my main thought from that, and to anyone who reads this, is DO write down how you feel and then review it before its acted upon. I'm happy with my previous post, especially as I self modded myself quite alot through fear of upsetting people.
Anyway back to the point of this post.
I am not too sure how profound this is going to be or whether it is stating the bleeding obvious. Tonight I went with some brilliant friends to see 'Would I Lie To You' being filmed at Pinewood Studios and it suddenly sprung out at me; these comedians and celebrities are brilliant but if it was just them sat about it wouldn't be as funny. You see, the questions is just a springboard for their wit and humour and I think thats true with all situations. Maybe that is true of life - work is just a springboard for us to interact. And play is just the same. My involvement in amdram is actually just a reason to see and muck about with mates. I think this is best seen when people enjoy their work; prime example is radio/podcast presenters and its obvious when your waiter or salesman is genuinly lighthearted and happy.
What I am trying to say, is find a format that allows everyone to take part, feel needed and gain a sense of achievement - and of course have fun and allow a bit of a muck about.
But, there are times where an effort should be made and the platform is just the conversation. Sometimes we all need to hear, consider and converse with each other - I think counselling of sorts needs to be mandatory. I keep offering this olive branch and yet some people ignore it and I know that one is especially two-faced regarding me. No matter what, this sit down and talk/cry/moan/shout is always available, but you have to accept it and make the effort also.
Being silly is fine by the way. I'm 21 and aged 13 I was a single carer for a 47 year old alcholic - I am fully capable of dealing with A&E at 3am, or my car breaking down. What this means is I can play about and have fun but that does not mean I am a child, just that I am being childish. My life is too short not to have any fun or to worry about minor things, I.E dirty shoes.
In much the same way hunting lies and truths in a TV show is the platform for banter, comedy and entertainment: taking a deep breath, thinking and enjoying what and who is here and now is the perfect format of life and I hope we all act more upon it before it is too late.
Regret is a bastard, but thats another day.
Love you all, and again: write, think and review before you email/tweet/abuse/love me. Either way, I'd like your reviewed comments below.
I've cheered up and had time to reflect upon my earlier post. Emotions are very 'knee-jerk' at times.
Sometimes it annoys me how strong and painful my emotions are at that moment and yet hours or days later it can be seriously petty and minor. So my main thought from that, and to anyone who reads this, is DO write down how you feel and then review it before its acted upon. I'm happy with my previous post, especially as I self modded myself quite alot through fear of upsetting people.
Anyway back to the point of this post.
I am not too sure how profound this is going to be or whether it is stating the bleeding obvious. Tonight I went with some brilliant friends to see 'Would I Lie To You' being filmed at Pinewood Studios and it suddenly sprung out at me; these comedians and celebrities are brilliant but if it was just them sat about it wouldn't be as funny. You see, the questions is just a springboard for their wit and humour and I think thats true with all situations. Maybe that is true of life - work is just a springboard for us to interact. And play is just the same. My involvement in amdram is actually just a reason to see and muck about with mates. I think this is best seen when people enjoy their work; prime example is radio/podcast presenters and its obvious when your waiter or salesman is genuinly lighthearted and happy.
What I am trying to say, is find a format that allows everyone to take part, feel needed and gain a sense of achievement - and of course have fun and allow a bit of a muck about.
But, there are times where an effort should be made and the platform is just the conversation. Sometimes we all need to hear, consider and converse with each other - I think counselling of sorts needs to be mandatory. I keep offering this olive branch and yet some people ignore it and I know that one is especially two-faced regarding me. No matter what, this sit down and talk/cry/moan/shout is always available, but you have to accept it and make the effort also.
Being silly is fine by the way. I'm 21 and aged 13 I was a single carer for a 47 year old alcholic - I am fully capable of dealing with A&E at 3am, or my car breaking down. What this means is I can play about and have fun but that does not mean I am a child, just that I am being childish. My life is too short not to have any fun or to worry about minor things, I.E dirty shoes.
In much the same way hunting lies and truths in a TV show is the platform for banter, comedy and entertainment: taking a deep breath, thinking and enjoying what and who is here and now is the perfect format of life and I hope we all act more upon it before it is too late.
Regret is a bastard, but thats another day.
Love you all, and again: write, think and review before you email/tweet/abuse/love me. Either way, I'd like your reviewed comments below.
Conflict and Self-devalue
Conflict is something different for me. The normal is Libya or maybe a feud like Montague and Capulet. Somehow for me its raised voices or a simple disagreement. It makes me scared, angry, an overwhelming need to cry and yet I can never show it or say it. All I can do is giggle - which seems to wind them up. Does everyone feel guilt like that?
I can't see a world where guilt at such things can ever survive.
The giggle is not my 'laugh' but it appears whenever people come across as aggressive or forceful. But my guilt doesn't say that's fair: they want to get their point across or feel they want to be heard. Even so, I cannot or should not deny how it makes me feel (which may not be rational, its emotion) which is attacked, wrong and ultimately I have to submit.
Afterwards I feel anger, certainly towards myself: why should I give in when I'm made to feel like that? I know they don't mean to make me feel like that but they do - and I should say.
But I can't, I don't and I won't. Letting myself get hurt and being submissive is okay, it keeps everyone happy...
Except me, I've been de-valued.
i hope no one is offended by this. this is my feelings and my blog. my blog is my medium for it. much love
I can't see a world where guilt at such things can ever survive.
The giggle is not my 'laugh' but it appears whenever people come across as aggressive or forceful. But my guilt doesn't say that's fair: they want to get their point across or feel they want to be heard. Even so, I cannot or should not deny how it makes me feel (which may not be rational, its emotion) which is attacked, wrong and ultimately I have to submit.
Afterwards I feel anger, certainly towards myself: why should I give in when I'm made to feel like that? I know they don't mean to make me feel like that but they do - and I should say.
But I can't, I don't and I won't. Letting myself get hurt and being submissive is okay, it keeps everyone happy...
Except me, I've been de-valued.
i hope no one is offended by this. this is my feelings and my blog. my blog is my medium for it. much love
Conflict and Self-devalue
Conflict is something different for me. The normal is Libya or maybe a feud like Montague and Capulet. Somehow for me its raised voices or a simple disagreement. It makes me scared, angry, an overwhelming need to cry and yet I can never show it or say it. All I can do is giggle - which seems to wind them up. Does everyone feel guilt like that?
I can't see a world where guilt at such things can ever survive.
The giggle is not my 'laugh' but it appears whenever people come across as aggressive or forceful. But my guilt doesn't say that's fair: they want to get their point across or feel they want to be heard. Even so, I cannot or should not deny how it makes me feel (which may not be rational, its emotion) which is attacked, wrong and ultimately I have to submit.
Afterwards I feel anger, certainly towards myself: why should I give in when I'm made to feel like that? I know they don't mean to make me feel like that but they do - and I should say.
But I can't, I don't and I won't. Letting myself get hurt and being submissive is okay, it keeps everyone happy...
Except me, I've been de-valued.
I can't see a world where guilt at such things can ever survive.
The giggle is not my 'laugh' but it appears whenever people come across as aggressive or forceful. But my guilt doesn't say that's fair: they want to get their point across or feel they want to be heard. Even so, I cannot or should not deny how it makes me feel (which may not be rational, its emotion) which is attacked, wrong and ultimately I have to submit.
Afterwards I feel anger, certainly towards myself: why should I give in when I'm made to feel like that? I know they don't mean to make me feel like that but they do - and I should say.
But I can't, I don't and I won't. Letting myself get hurt and being submissive is okay, it keeps everyone happy...
Except me, I've been de-valued.
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