I didn’t know what I wanted to do for commemorating my 500th blogpost. Typically, I don’t attach meaning to hallmark moments such as this. Still, I’m open to trying (some) new things. So, the current entry is an opportunity for me to step outside of my comfort zone.
I never intended on starting a blog. For years, an old friend (“Spanky”) encouraged me to explore purpose and meaning through written form. As we served together in the Marine Corps, Spanky invited me to consider “Devil Dog with a Blog” as name for the forum in which I’d post content.
However, I laughed off his suggestion and took no action. Then, when one social media site first came out, another friend of mine (“Rhea”) requested that I start making TikTok videos. Still, I left behind Facebook in around 2012 and Instagram in 2018, and I didn’t want to return to social media content creation.
In 2020, when working for a successful mental health practice in Austin, Texas, my supervisor asked me to write a blogpost for his site. When I fulfilled his request, my post apparently didn’t pass the content filter of his advisory team.
Therefore, I posted the blog entry on my website and added one other post to augment the information. Yet another friend (“Jammies”) invited me to consider a podcast during the COVID-19 lockdown. By that time, the market was supersaturated with similar material.
Nevertheless, I kept writing and posting blog content when inspired to do so. After a while, I began to receive feedback. I was told that my writing was confusing, my authentic voice wasn’t captured in my content, and that my posts were simply too long to retain the interest of readers.
It wasn’t as though I was unaware of my poorly written posts. I never learned how to properly use grammar. All the same, I kept writing. My decision to do so served as a shame attacking exercise that was consistent with the practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).
Surprisingly, the more I posted, I began to enjoy the process of writing. I eventually began to post under specific categories within my blog, devoting most of my attention to the Hip Hop and REBT category.
Therein, I shared personal anecdotes and tied psychoeducational lessons to my perspective on REBT. Most of the content posted in that category has deep personal meaning. Additionally, concerning my blog as a whole, I touch on controversial topics which many of my mental health care peers wouldn’t dare to entertain in public view.
While I’m aware that the content I address could correlate with the irrational beliefs of others, which could lead to unpleasant consequences for people, I try to approach matters with honesty and integrity. Nonetheless, I realize that not everyone will appreciate what I have to say.
Likewise, I know that not many people actually read my posts. In fact, I average a rating of zero views for the entirety of my blog entries. If I recommend a post to a client or someone within my inner circle, I may receive a view here or there.
Overall, not many people engage my content and this is unconditionally acceptable to me. This is because I remind myself not to place my worth in the care of other people. Therefore, whether or not others read my content, I enjoy writing and posting for the sake of sharing REBT with whomever cares to view what I have to say.
After all, one of the main functions of REBT is to help people get better, not necessarily feel better. With each hundredth post, I think I’ve gotten much better at writing, communicating REBT concepts, and attacking shame. I may not feel good about my writing, though I’m getting better.
Noteworthy, a friend of mine (“Blanca”) is the person who has devoted most time and attention to reading my content. Per her report, Blanca has gotten better as a direct result of consuming my content.
Regarding Blanca’s success and my own, I’m reminded of a line in KRS-One’s song “Step into a World (Rapture’s Delight),” featured on the 1997 album I Got Next. The lyricist states, “We only get better, and only better we have gotten!” Holla!
Not-so-coincidentally, the track was featured as the 500th song on a rap collection entitled “Top 500 of the Greatest Hip - Hop and Rap Songs” from 2012. As such, KRS-One’s 500th song for my 500th blogpost, with both relating to the process of getting better, leaves me looking forward to seeing what other content I’ll write in the future.
Even if I’m speaking into the void without a response, I’ll enjoy the sound of an echo. At any rate, if you’ve somehow stumbled across this post and would like to know of how to improve your level of functioning and quality of life through the practice of REBT, I may be able to help.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost old school hip hop REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
Photo credit (edited), fair use
References:
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