Moving On

I’ll spare you all of the details, but a dear client came to me this week with a dilemma. A rewind of a persistent issue…  

For several years he’s allowed someone he thought of as a friend to live rent free in his head, plagued by her insensitivities and indiscretions of all sorts.  Perhaps you know the feeling? Plagued by a person who needles you that way?

He’s done the dance of politeness and doesn’t want to harbor a grudge, but his edges show every time he’s around her.

He performs, she’s none the wiser, but the after effect for him? Utter exhaustion.   

Moving on…

Might be my two favorite empowerment words...

Will she notice, he wondered, if he pulls back?  He answered his own question in less than a beat.  Nope. “She’s too wrapped up in her own world.”

He has tools, options. “She” isn’t part of his work life and she’s not family. No ties to bind or complicate. He’s empowered. When I reminded him of this – that she’s in a category I refer to as “discretionary” – he smiled. 

“Right, right,” he said. “How we spend our time is the most important decision we make every day. I’m moving on.”

The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

What I enjoy most about helping others? Often I’m just a talking post or a mirror to insights already nestled within, waiting to be seen and heard.

Here’s to you with hopes that you, too, will use your precious time well.

Vicki 😊



50 responses to “Moving On”

  1. It is a waste of time to hangon past hope.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. lbeth…I’m with you – a waste of time, for sure. Thanks so much! 🥰

      Like

  2. I’ve had people live rent-free in the past, and it’s never worth it. Cheers to your client for letting it go and moving on!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks, Erin. “Relationship housekeeping”! 😉

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Oooh, Relationship housekeeping – I love that!!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. I unfortunately have that same issue with a person, but it’s my Dad. When he moved to Palm Springs to be near to me, so I could be a caretaker as he aged, I realized I was stressed every time I was around him. But for all the years he was there, I included him in every family gathering, swim meet, etc. So hard because it’s family and I feel obligated.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I hear you. You were such a good daughter. ❤️

      Liked by 2 people

      1. He’s still alive and kicking at 92, along in the Palm Springs area.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Ohhhh. I must’ve forgotten that. He’s 92 and in Palm Springs?!? Wow! ❤️

          Liked by 1 person

          1. He lives alone in a retirement community, drives, plays golf and has several friends on his block. I’m not moving him out here, because he’d have no life. And I’d go nuts.

            Liked by 2 people

            1. I like your thinking! 🥰

              Liked by 1 person

  4. drgeraldstein Avatar
    drgeraldstein

    Marcus Aurelius and other Stoics asked the question of why the world is filled with those who, despite caring more for themselves more than others, are forever preoccupied with the opinions held by those others. In 2000 years we have yet to change.

    I wish the young man good luck and hope he learns that the rent free space in his head deserves a good cleaning up and clearing out.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ah — thank you for all of that, Dr. Stein. I appreciate the well wishes for him. It’s one of the most profound privileges – bearing witness to growth and healing. Cheers to ‘cleaning up and clearing out’. Yes! 💕

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Great post and really important message for everyone, Vicki. Sometimes you just have to step away. It’s part of self care, called self-preservation. And I can imagine that one of the most valuable gifts you bring to your counselling is letting clients really stop and listen to themselves. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like your point, Jane. Yes! Self-preservation. Thank you so much. Xo! ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  6. It took me a long time to figure out the value of time. What a valuable lesson! Love too how you explained what you do: “a talking post or a mirror to insights already nestled within, waiting to be seen and heard.” I would argue that there’s incredible value in that talking post. Yes, the other person may know the right prescription but it takes someone else to help them get there!!!!! 😎😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Right! Time — wrestling with the realities of it as a precious commodity – takes time, LOL! Thanks so much Brian, for your sweet comment. I appreciate it! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re like Sacagawea helping Lewis & Clark or guides who helped with the polar expeditions!!!! Okay, maybe a little less physical danger, but still on a mission!🤣🤣🤣😎

        Liked by 1 person

        1. LOL! You are funny! 🤪🥰🤪

          Liked by 1 person

  7. Sometimes she shows up unannounced and I requested…. sometimes I invite her in…

    Liked by 1 person

  8. unrequested – stupid autocorrect –

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I got you — totally read it that way. 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Ah, such a wonderful reminder to be mindful of that head-space. Love how you put it – “rent-free.” Right. And until we kick out the squatters, we can’t move on to fill it with people who are worth it. Love that you provide that beautiful mirror for wisdom and self-reflection!! ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Amen! Kicking out the squatters to make room for the good folks! Xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  10. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    A healthy friendship should be close to a 50/50 partnership. There are times, quite naturally, when this ratio gets out of balance when someone is wrestling with a personal issue. If it continually stays out of whack, then I would question why both parties don’t recognize the imbalance. I suppose you’ve already answered that—some people are so into themselves that they don’t recognize the needs of their friends.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are a wise one, Pete! Some people can’t find room for awareness, compassion, empathy. Appreciate you! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  11. sometimes we just need to hear it from others and to be reminded. easy to slide down a slippery slope over time

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love that, Beth…yep. So good to have supportive people around us. Xo! ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Wise and kind words, Vicki — to your client and to us readers. Truly, our time is precious! I hope you have a wonderful weekend 🌞

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Dave. You, too – you, too! 🥰☀️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  13. One of the best things we can do for others is to listen and reflect back the insights they likely already know to be true and just need validation to act on. You were a good pal, Vicki.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Ab! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Great advice! Here’s hoping he takes your great advice.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Since we have no idea how much time we have, Vicki…so worthy to use it the very best we can. And indeed, sometimes when it comes to others the most important ability is simply our availability.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love how you expressed that, Bruce. Thank you so much! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Wow Vicki, an insightful blog post here. Great quote by the way and I agree to some extent that the most precious gift we can give someone, it is our time and attention which don’t cost anything.

    As a Blogger, we can also give other Bloggers our attention by actually reading their work and leaving them valuable comments😀📱

    Great post and great message behind it. Take care Mrs Victoria💯🙏🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much! 😉

      Like

  17. I don’t know why some people cling to people or experiences that made them unhappy, but I sure do hear about it often enough. I’m not a trained therapist but “moving on” is a good mantra, one that I’ll keep in mind whilst listening to someone go on about someone who lives rent free in their brain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s a conundrum, for sure, Ally. I’ve come to the conclusion that the painful bits and unpleasantries can be comforting because the behaviors become familiar, expected. Thanks for reading and for your endorsement of those two words. I like ’em, too. Short and simple. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  18. I wish him well in shaking this woman free! I hope he can stick to his guns and be successful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ❤️❤️❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I’m hoping he moves on – you always provide great advice!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww! Thank you, Mary! He’s doing really well! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  20. such important and excellent advice for all of us! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re the best, Vickie — thank you for that! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

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