T in the Real World

Okay not really the REAL world.. but I just got a new car, and T said she wanted to see it when I got it.. So I picked it up yesterday and so she can see it on Tuesday.. but it dawned on me that we'd be OUTSIDE.. like not in her office, not in the building.. but like in the REAL WORLD... she might even sit in my car... that totally is making me anxious not in a bad way.. but like WEIRD... she'll be in my world.. not in a neutral zone. yeech..

Just wanted to share that... all these days off for Turkey day gives me tons of time to think LOL

I was worried the first time my T and I did something outside her office. It worked out being really nice. It's nice and quite comfortable to walk alongside her while we talk, though I think it probably did feel a bit awkward for the first few minutes that first time.

Just try to enjoy showing off your new wheels. Try not to make it into more than some great show-off time. That's all it is. Don't overthink this (I know; too late).

I never thought of the parking lot as the "real world". In my opinion, the real world begins out on the sidewalk.

Seeing your therapist outside of the office is a good way of normalizing her and your relationship. There may be a time when the two of you bump into each other at the grocery store or something. This gives you a chance to practice not being scared.

I've seen T in his parking lot a couple of times. It didn't really bother me.

When I first started seeing him, I saw him at the gas station and freaked out. I pretended that I didn't see him. He's never mentioned it.

What are you talking about? I don't overthink anything! I know.. it'll be fun.. I'm excited.. just new ya know LOL I think if I saw her out and about I'd be fine LOL for some reason this is weird LOL Thanks :-)

Oh please there is nothing normal at all about this relationship LOL but I know what you mean.. yeah it'll be fine I know... Our relationship is so comfortable its surprising me to feel kinda weird LOL Thanks I am going to practice not being scared or nervous until then!

This reminds me pf my young students who always think that i actually live at school
They think i eat dinner in the cafeteria and sleep on their naptime cots.

I hope your t will enjoy seeing your car
Showing off my new car at my 3rd appt was the first time t came out to the parking lot with me too . From there we went to taking walks and going out to lunch and now i am totally comfortable seeing her out in the real world. In fact i am more comfortable with her on the beach or in a Mcdonalds than i am in a regular old office Dont be too worried and try not to over think this too much okay?it will be fine!

It could be worse, she could be expecting you to parallel park I'm sure that won't happen . . .

Seriously, though, it does sound like it would feel strange. You are used to a controlled setting with your T, so I can understand your anxiety. I hope you will be able to distract yourself so you won't worry. Best thing to do is to plan on telling your T at the outset that you are stressed about seeing her in a different setting, and let her help you with that.

I remember the first time I was outside of T's office with him. I asked him to walk outside with me for a minute after a tough session.

It was so strange to see him standing out in the world I live in. I had *only* seen him in his office before that, for YEARS. It was actually really nice. It gave me this feeling of continuity...that T exists not only in that office, but out here, too...and somehow that made me feel a little more safe.

We walk outside sometimes now when I'm having a hard time, and need help getting present. Being out in the air under the sky helps me. I love being outside with T.

I hope it is a really good experience for you

I think it will be fun for you

I remember the 1st time I saw t in jeans. I was like whoa! Haha. It was strange to have a session in the "real world", but it was fun. I liked it. Now I love when t offers to give me a session that is out of the office

I totally get the bit of anxiety. For me, I cherished the feel of the "room." It always took me awhile to adapt when T would change office space. And one office I never could really adapt to. I've always tended to react pretty strongly to spaces, and to attach feelings to them.

One time T drove me home. It was a weird weather circumstance that prevented me from getting a taxi. It felt odd, but also very nurturing.