My name is Brittney Sniezak, and I value the connections we used to have with others before the inception of social media, the latest gadgets, and distractions. I created my therapy practice, Almeta’s Porch, to offer a sense of calm in our fast-paced world. Almeta’s Porch is named after my grandmother, who imparted her wisdom, guidance, and values about the important parts of life. I'm an old-school millennial who wants to revitalize some of the methods used in the past to give people peace in their lives.
Why is that necessary during this modern era?
The idea of embracing simplicity can improve your mental health in so many ways. Although simplicity feels harder to attain, searching for ways to find it will make life so much sweeter organically. With the use of technology, a lot of the natural ways people relax their minds and souls have been integrated with information overload, causing more toxic stimulation based on the level of social influences.
What did some natural ways of coping look like in the past?
Whether taking some time on the porch and chatting while clipping clothes on the clotheslines, those were the days that it felt like things made the most sense. There was contentment in being present with nature and finding intentional ways to ground yourself in the midst of worry.
I want you to experience that sense of ease.
I believe that alot of people would like to take a time machine back to the moments when it felt like we had permission to take a breath. We could invest ourselves in amazing conversations without fear about what was happening around us. When the actions of others felt more sincere, we felt more united with our community.
Although times are different, we can still take heed of those moments and shift them into the present day. These art forms of connection don't have to be extinct, and if they mean something to you, we can still make those parts of humanity still relevant.
Are there any elements from the past that you feel would make your life easier? Were the words you heard from your elders the ones that stood out to you? A favorite task that brings back nostalgia? Let me incorporate those parts of who you are with what makes sense.
As a therapist, I want to help you feel at ease with my words, actions, and ability to help you make improvements. I want you to have permission to share whatever has been on your heart and know that the world feels safer even for just 60 minutes. I want you to feel like you can slow your pace down.
That's part of the therapy process; you gradually go at a comfortable pace.
Connecting with someone who evokes a sense of calm—similar to the feeling you may have experienced with your grandma or grandpa—is about the essence of feeling like everything will be okay. Those moments help people feel loved, cared for, and capable of tackling life's challenges. You cannot forget what you need out of life to have that fulfillment.
What’s one of your favorite memories growing up? This is where you can parse through the moments within the therapy space and clearly understand how those relationships impacted you. Please don't sit on those memories; recognize that they can be valuable to your growth.
And maybe some of the things you used to do in your childhood can give you some insight into what you need to do to ensure that you can continue to embrace who you are despite the constant changes that will inevitably happen based on our evolving world.
