The Weekly One: I fell asleep in a ridiculous place

I once fell asleep in a rigid orange plastic chair at a bustling ferry port. It was 2003 and I was in Thailand with my friend. We had been waiting for ages for our ferry, which never seemed to appear, and at the time in Thailand everything was pretty relaxed. People seemed to just trust things to happen when they happen. But I wasn't Thai. So, I was far from relaxed. I was crabby and inpatient and likely really annoying my friend.

In fact, now I reflect upon it, I was probably a bit like my 6-year-old when asked to wait for something! In contrast, my friend was patient and calm and probably getting me to play eye-spy (she's totally the eldest child in her family and I'm the youngest, so we're a good fit!) Anyway, after many hours, we were eventually given a re-scheduled time for the arrival and departure. And then I could relax so I read a book and then promptly fell asleep in the said orange plastic chair, which might well have been award-winningly uncomfortable. You see, once I know how long I have to wait, I can absolutely manage and occupy myself well. In contrast, once my friend knew how long she had to wait, she was climbing the walls and couldn't sit still or concentrate on her book. She just seemed to manage uncertainty better than a yawning chasm of time.?

This week there were definitely some similarities to this for me. That's because this week it is fair to say that mine and around 4000+ other people's plans didn't go to plan. You see, you might have noticed that, alongside my client work, I also support and create content for Aspiring Psychologists. Specifically, Aspiring Clinical Psychologists if we're really niching down! Anyway, for as many years as I can recall, the yearly application cycles have opened on the first of September. It's like clockwork:

Last week of August:?Realise next week is September!

Following days:?Feel anxious & not quite good enough

By 1st Sept:?Have mustered enough excitement and energy for the process ahead to start applying from the 1st.?

Except this year, it seems they decided to change the plans but not really tell anyone at all. Basically, they may be opening the process this week, but it may be a bit longer. It feels a bit like an almighty false start to be honest. And I'm not even applying myself, just supporting those who are! It's made me feel a bit out of step with where I was expecting to be at this stage this week because everything kind of feels like it is still in mid-air.?

It also feels like there is another almighty power imbalance in the process where it is not the applicants holding any of the cards. It's easy to tell why burnout is high in this career and it reinforces?why?I do my bit to spread compassion and containment in the field too.?

Sometimes people decide to deviate from their original target job or just to do something else entirely.?Funnily enough, one of those options is exactly the topic of this week's episode of the Aspiring Psychologist Podcast. I was joined by Elise Dyer of Plymouth University. We spoke all about the new role of?Trainee Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP).?It's a really fabulously useful episode. You can listen to episode?39?here.?You can listen by clicking the link, or via Spotify, Amazon, Google or Apple. I hope you find it helpful. I'd welcome any feedback you have. You can also check it out on my newly revamped YouTube channel?here.?

I have also learned that there is a fair bit of waiting around in the media, but I'm most certainly getting some practice with the waiting around there too! Speaking of that....I've been in the media a few times this week:??

1) My BBC Radio Berkshire interview went well. You can listen on replay?here?and then by scrolling to 2:38:33.

2) I am a Guest Expert in Psychologies magazine again this month. It's for their 16-page dossier feature on how to feel more confident. Don't be put off by the name sounding like it's a professional magazine for Psychologists! Instead, Psychologies is a grown-up, intelligent magazine which seeks to enrich your emotional life. This month's edition has Edith Bowman on the cover, so look out for it and grab your copy.?

3) I was also thrilled to be featured by Metro online discussing 'outcasting' or the fear that your friends don't actually like you. You can read the article?here.??

That's all for this week's bumper edition of the weekly one! Thanks as ever for being part of my world. Take care of you!

Dr Marianne Trent

Clinical Psychologist, Author & Podcast Host

Click Here?to check out all of the projects I am involved in on my LinkTree, including the upcoming Aspiring Psychologist Book and Membership.?