Experiencing RIM for the First Time

Here at Whole Human we won’t typically have “guest posts” on our blog. Most often they’ll be written by me (Chris) or Jenn. But for today’s post, we’ve got something different.

Samantha Noone, an old friend and new RIM client sent me a testimonial after her second session. It is delightful, of course, to have such positive feedback, but more importantly is that Sam has captured some of the fundamental things that we have experienced with RIM.

Thank you, Sam for your heartfelt message.

I have these friends; I’ve known so much of my life. I don’t get to see them often, but they’ve left a long-lasting impact on me. We’re Facebook friends of course, and I’ve been watching as they’ve both changed their lives. No matter the age, or circumstance – they’re creating the life they want to live, and while I know social media is what it is, it’s clear what they are doing is working for them in impacting ways. They both started posting about becoming a RIM facilitator. I immediately took to Google, never having heard of it.

I’m always intrigued by new things, and Google everything – so this was no different. I remember reading the words and descriptions of RIM and finding it interesting but didn’t think too much of it at the time. At the risk of sounding trite, it sounded to “hippy dippy” for myself. And I don’t mean that in a derogatory way, it’s actually just the thought that crossed my mind.

I saw a few more Facebook posts about it over the next few days, and then I saw them both post the offer of a free session so folks could see what this RIM stuff was all about. At the time of me reading it, I was in a bad place. My mental and physical health were at an all-time low, the stressors in my life at home and work were at an all-time high. I’m not even sure if I could explain why my body clicked the sign-up link – but I did. Immediately.

I had no clue what to expect. I almost canceled the first session because I was getting so nervous, however – I knew I wanted better for myself, and at this point in my life I have too much riding on me not being okay, so I didn’t cancel, and I went through it.

I won’t go into details about my sessions, I feel like that’s meant for myself and my facilitator – but what I will say, is I knew I was hooked after the first session. The thing about me, is that I don’t have a traumatic past, while I have traumatic moments in time, nothing truly life changingly bad has happened to me – my life is not defined by some deep childhood traumas. Over time, I’ve just relied on myself to get through everything – good and bad. I’m the one that takes care of others, provides for others, becomes the support for others so I’ve neglected myself in the process. I’ve tried talk therapy. I’ve had 7 different counselors in total in three states. I’m not afraid to talk, I don’t bottle things up and I have a great support system so me talking about my issues isn’t a problem.

I’ve struggled with my weight now for years. I lost 85 pounds once, the year I got engaged, I’ve also gained it back. I’ve been up and down with my weight for as long as I can remember. I’ve had some deep struggles and PTSD flash backs that were debilitating to my life – but I’ve somehow always made it out of the darkness on my own. Talk therapy just didn’t seem for me, was never life changing or life altering.

Much like weight loss, if you tell a heavy person to lose weight, most times it’s going to have an adverse effect on them. They need to want to do the work, they need to realize it for themselves and only then will change happen. They are the ones thinking about the pizza or bailing on their daily exercise.

This is where I started with my RIM session today, feeling like no one is going to be able to tell me how to heal, I have to be the one to do the work. While I keep finding myself saying, “duh, of course this is what you need” (after my realization) I’ve never truly felt it in my body as I do in this very moment. I got to this place; I feel like would have taken years for me to get to in talk therapy. I had this shift in my healing journey that I’ve never felt, and so quickly.

I’ve said a lot of words, but what I truly mean to say is after experiencing RIM, I’m ready to make real change. I’ve found something that I’m sure, and now know can help me. I feel it today, I felt it last time – in my body, mind and soul. Which even me just typing that sounds so “hippy dippy”. After feeling trapped for so long and thinking there’s nothing that will help you –it’s amazing to realize it’s just not true. I wish I knew of this method sooner; I wish more people talked about the many different ways you can find help. I wish I was deeper into my journey – because I finally see realization. It’s not about the other person, the person that you’re receiving help from, it’s about you and truly believing you can achieve happiness and help in any asset of your life if you’re looking for it. You must start somewhere, you have to make the leap, and I’m so thankful I’ve found something that I believe could have an impact on my life and my journey to finding out what makes me happy, and what support looks like for me to get there.

I also need to give credit where credit is due. Chris is putting himself out there on his new path in life, he’s taking a risk posting on social media about his new journey and sharing how he’s changed his life. He wants that for others, and for that I will be forever grateful. While I thought that he and Jen had an impact on my life before, I now realize that was only just the start. I can’t wait to continue this journey and it feels only fitting I continue to do it with him. At the start of this process, I figured I wouldn’t be able to open up or be relaxed or feel like telling him where my mind and body was actually taking me. I realized two minutes into my first session that that’s not true. I feel at ease with his facilitation, his calming tone and the work he’s putting in to get me to where I need to be. I feel safe, and feeling safe is the first step in any therapy you choose.

I’m still scared and nervous, still anxious and by no means have found all the answers, but for the first time in so very long I’m asking myself questions, and I’m so curious about what’s to come. If I have more days like I did today within my RIM session – there’s hope, and hope is what keeps me moving forward.

Disclaimer: I know so many amazing people in this life that have had such success with talk therapy. I want to make it clear that I’m in no way shaming that choice. Everyone is different, and what other need in their journey may not be what I need. I need to understand and realize what’s happening within ME personally in order to start making change for myself. I’m a see it to believe it kind of gal, always have been and always will be. If you feel the same, RIM is for you.