17 November 2014
Loneliness
Many of the people who pass through my office would readily admit that it’s possible to live in a city which contains 10% of the national population and still feel alone.
Whether it’s making friends or finding a partner, there is no easy fix for most. It’s hard to find like-minded people in-person and simultaneously create an opportunity for communication which feels natural. For those who are experiencing substance abuse issues, it’s doubly hard given the unrealistic emphasis on “meeting people in bars” or “going for drinks”.
If I may make some recommendations:
Sports Okay, this may make some of you cringe with thoughts of high school cliques and hyper-competitiveness, but there are some very positive aspects to recreational sports. Namely, it’s a shared activity which ensures exercise and mutual goals (pardon the pun). Depending upon how competitive you are, it’s usually fun, and it doesn’t involve alcohol.
Tabletop Gaming Over the last few years, the humble board game has become very popular as a way to get out and interact with others. There are several new (and popular) spots in Toronto which stock a wide selection of games (from chess to Settlers of Catan).
Volunteering Perhaps the most old-fashioned of the three, volunteering is a great way to contribute to your community and meet like-minded others. Not only will volunteering provide you with context and perspective (not to mention something which potentially looks good on a résumé), another advantage of volunteering over the other three is that it doesn’t cost anything!
If you are interested in learning more about my services, about me, or perhaps booking an appointment, please call me at 416-873-7828 or email me at info@downtowntherapy.ca for more information.
filed under: change• friendships• general info• socialization• society
4 November 2014
Victims and Perpetrators
In Canada, particularly in Toronto, we are awash in recent news of a broadcaster who has been allegedly sexually assaulting women for several years. There are enough people–journalists and otherwise–writing specifically about the incidents and the personality in question. This is not what I wish to discuss here (because I think others have the time and resources to write about this particular matter more effectively than I).
I will start by saying that this has opened up a wide discussion about sexual assault and consent, as well as the safety of the workplace for women. To begin to understand the extent of this discussion, I would recommend looking-up the Twitter hashtag #BeenRapedNeverReported. There are few who would argue that this is a perfect moment for society to coldly examine the legacy of the permissiveness of sexual assault (in all its forms, explicit and subtle). (more…)
If you are interested in learning more about my services, about me, or perhaps booking an appointment, please call me at 416-873-7828 or email me at info@downtowntherapy.ca for more information.
Recent Comments