Therapy, Target, and the State of the World: We Need to Talk
The world has felt heavy. As a therapist living in the epicenter of political upheaval, everything feels... different. It takes so much effort now to engage in the things we once looked forward to. We're being more intentional, more cautious, about our consumption: where we shop, what we listen to, and who we give our attention to.
While this season has brought grief, loss, and a looming fear that we've entered "the bad place," I also think it’s pushed us toward simplification. We’re evaluating our relationships to mass consumption, community, and compassion—compassion for both our neighbors and strangers.
Let’s talk about Target.
I haven’t been since they stripped their DEI initiatives. And I’ve been asking myself, “Why was I spending so much time there in the first place?” The dollar bins were enticing. It felt like an escape, an instant dopamine hit. But in reality? It was a distraction from how overwhelmed we all were.
We’ve been chasing arbitrary standards: Stanley Cups, Starbucks tumblers, Owalas... Like, seriously, what is up with us and water bottles? It’s time we examine our status symbols. What if we started measuring wealth in love, in community, in the amount of time we get to spend on slow mornings and soul-filling hobbies? What if our abundance came from within instead of a cart full of beige home goods?
We are, whether we realize it or not, standing in front of a mirror and being asked to take accountability for the ways we’ve shaped the world, for the systems we’ve upheld, and for the version of society we want to build next. And if we’re going to rise above it, we need to reimagine what intentional living really looks like.
1. Relationships with Intention
Let’s clear something up: intentional does not mean texting all day, constant emotional check-ins, or being at everyone’s beck and call. But it does require effort, energy, and yes—sometimes inconvenience.
There will be days when you’d rather stay curled up with comfort TV than call a friend going through it. But in those moments, when you choose to show up anyway, you’re making a quiet rebellion against the idea that relationships should be easy, effortless, or low-maintenance.
To build meaningful relationships, we have to invest. And that means being honest about what we have to give and who’s deserving of our energy. Not everyone is. Some people will only want you for what you can provide. Some won’t meet you halfway. Some will prove untrustworthy. Let them go in love.
Intentional relationships are built with people who understand reciprocity, emotional presence, and mutual care. The rest? Let them go gently, but definitely.
2. Incorporating Play & Creativity
Hobbies are going to save us.
Engaging in something just for the joy of it? No pressure to monetize. No audience to perform for. No productivity metrics. Just freedom.
Play allows us to connect with our imagination. It reminds us that joy can exist outside of hustle culture. That we can feel alive and creative without needing validation from the algorithm.
Make ugly art. Dance off-beat. Decorate cupcakes badly. Write fan fiction. Host a themed dinner party just because. Reclaim your right to play, not because it’s productive, but because it’s liberating.
Ready to Process the Chaos? Now Accepting New Therapy Clients.
The constant overwhelm of the external world—the news, the consumption pressure, the strained relationships—takes a heavy toll on our nervous systems and is often why we feel stuck in survival mode.
Therapy is the space to slow down, examine the systems you've upheld, and rebuild your life with the intentionality you deserve.
I am currently accepting new therapy clients in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
A portion of my practice is dedicated to making care accessible, which is why I offer sliding scale spots. If you are ready to move from distraction to conscious creation, I invite you to reach out.
Click Here to Learn About Therapy & Book Your Consultation
In rest, resistance, and radical self-trust,
Jazzmyn 💫
