3 Skills THAT HELPeD ME RECENTER

3 Skills That Helped Me Recenter
by Noah Clyman, LCSW-R

Ever had one of those days that just... thudded?

​Your calendar empties. Plans shift.
And even though you know it's no big deal, some quiet part of you feels like it is.

That happened to me recently.
Most of my sessions rescheduled.  Just two remained.  And even though I knew it was summer, and people were traveling, I felt off.

​Sad. A little guilty.
And honestly? A bit ashamed.

What My Mind Told MeI noticed two familiar thoughts bubble up:

• "If I were more needed, this wouldn't be happening."
• "Maybe I'm not doing enough."

They were automatic. Subtle. And unhelpful.

Skill 1: Reframing the ThoughtsOnce I caught them, I paused.

• "This is just a quieter day - not a personal indictment."
• "One light day doesn't cancel all the meaningful work I've done this week."

That helped loosen the shame. It didn't erase the feeling, but it created space for something gentler.

Skill 2: Common HumanityThen I reminded myself:
I'm not the only one who feels this.

• Teachers, parents, creatives, entrepreneurs - anyone who cares about what they do will sometimes have slow days that feel heavier than they should.
• You're not weird for feeling this way. You're human.

Skill 3: A Valued ActionInstead of numbing out or spinning in the feelings.  I took Lightning - my very opinionated chihuahua - to a park he hadn't explored yet. He was thrilled. And his joy helped me reconnect with mine.

Sometimes, the smallest acts of meaning make the biggest difference.
If You're Feeling That Way Too…You're not broken. You're not behind.
And you're definitely not alone.
Try this:

• Notice what you're thinking & reframe it
• Soften it with kindness
• Take one small, valued step

​Later that week, I shared this with a client who'd had a similar experience.  They looked up and said:  "I thought I was the only one."

You never are.