Progmess

🌟Weekly Inspiration🌟

“I am a work in progmess.”  -Ted Lasso

I love Ted Lasso ❤️ for many reasons... and I really enjoyed his owning of being a “progmess” in this current season. Aren’t we all? At least sometimes?

It just makes me think about how much energy goes into convincing ourselves and others that we are NOT a “progmess.” I’ve been wondering what it might be like to level with ourselves that life is messy, that we are complicated and messy at times, and that the people that we love are complicated and messy also. I’ve been contemplating what it might feel like to surrender to not having it all figured out..or expect perfection from ourselves/our partners/our children.

Therapists talk about this idea of “the messy middle” in therapeutic treatment. This is the “working” part of therapy, as opposed to the initial rapport-building phase or closing/wrapping up part of therapy. It can be an emotionally painful part of the psychological work that one is doing…or slow and challenging…or our natural resistance and defense mechanisms kick in…or old patterns are challenged…or it all just feels like life is too hard and overwhelming. But, “the messy middle” is definitely where true growth occurs—insights happen, people shift, deeper empathy for self and others, grief is processed, and clarity develops for a new way forward. It is a rich time for the client and therapist ⭐.

Ask Yourself:

Do I fight the idea of being “a work in progmess?” Why?
Do I actively dislike seeing my children in a state of “progmess?” Why?
Should we truly ever stop being a work in progress/progmess? Isn’t there always room for growth?
How can I embrace my “messiness”? My family’s?
Could my expectations shift towards including room for our humanity in this way?

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