Wish Upon A Sunset

Two Steps Forward

Emma

With my blood rushing in my ears, I pushed open the glass door of Bright Horizons Counseling. The office was warm and inviting, with soft, neutral tones on the walls, plush chairs, and potted plants that added a touch of life. A water feature in the corner provided a calming background sound.

I approached the reception desk, fidgeting with the strap of my purse. The receptionist looked up and smiled brightly. "Good morning! How can I help you?"

"Hi," I said, my voice shakier than I'd like. "I'm Emma Carter. I have an appointment with Dr. Hayes."

She tapped at her keyboard, then nodded. "Ah, yes. Welcome, Emma. Please fill out this form and take a seat. Dr. Hayes will be with you shortly."

I picked up the clipboard and relaxed into a soft, comfortable chair. As I filled out the form, I kept glancing at the door, half expecting someone I knew to walk in and see me here.

A few minutes later, a tall woman in a navy blouse stepped into the waiting area. With her hair pulled back in a neat bun, she carried a tablet. "Emma?" she called out.

I stood up, smoothing my pink cardigan nervously. "That's me."

"Hi, I'm Dr. Samantha Hayes. How are you today?" She extended her hand, her grip firm but not overwhelming.

I let out a short, awkward laugh. "I could be doing better; otherwise, I wouldn't be here."

Dr. Hayes' smile was understanding. "Of course. Why don't you come on back, and we'll talk?"

We walked together down a short hallway to Dr. Hayes' office. The room was cozy, with a large window letting in natural light, a few framed inspirational quotes on the walls, and a bookshelf filled with various titles on psychology and self-help. Two comfortable chairs faced each other, with a small table in between holding a box of tissues and a notepad.

As I sat down, Dr. Hayes settled across from me, crossing her legs and resting her tablet on her lap. "So, Emma," she began, her voice calm and professional, "why don't you tell me what brought you here today and what you're hoping to accomplish?"

I took a deep breath, my hands clenched in my lap. "Well, I've been having nightmares," I began, then paused, unsure how to continue. "And the people in town... they're not very kind. I feel a lot of guilt about my daughter and my mom. There was also..." I swallowed hard, "some abuse from my ex-husband, Zack. And a friend mentioned something about PTSD." I stopped, feeling my cheeks flush. "Sorry, I didn't mean to dump all that at once."

Dr. Hayes leaned forward, her expression attentive. "That's alright, Emma. It sounds like you're dealing with a lot. Have you ever heard the term Sunset Mindset?"

I frowned, shaking my head. "No, what's that?"

"It's a concept that helps people move from the upheaval of their past to a more peaceful present," Dr. Hayes explained. "Just like a sunset signals the end of the day but also brings the promise of a new dawn, finding closure and looking forward to new beginnings is important. It's also about taking the time to enjoy the little things in life, instead of always trying to fix them or focus on them."

I nodded, a spark of promise flickering in my chest. "That sounds... helpful. I think I could use that in my life."

Dr. Hayes smiled, making a note on her tablet. "I think it could be very beneficial for you, Emma. Let's explore this together and see how we can apply it to your situation."

A sense of wonder flickered within me. What Dr. Hayes had said resonated within me. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of a new chapter for me. As the sun sets on my past, I have the chance to build a brand new life with the dawn of a new day. I liked that idea.