This will be the first Wednesday in a year that I have not met with my therapist.

Regardless of the work, I am always looking forward to Wednesdays. My new therapist has really made me work, and I love it. She has gotten me to open up and consider things that I never imagined possible.

She has made a connection that I just hadn’t felt before.

During Covid, my then-therapist and I started meeting by phone. I felt things had changed. All I could think of was her in her office doing a crossword puzzle while I poured my heart out. And then there was the guy who seemed to need me as a sounding board for his issues.

So until my current therapist, I have not had a positive outcome.

Now I am eager to go. My week begins by looking forward to Wednesday. And after the session, I am already looking forward to next week. So, this week is going to be different. I had thought a bit about it and had convinced myself that her being on vacation was not a big deal.

Everyone deserves some time away from work.

But that leaves me with how I should handle myslef in her absence. Going forward like nothing is going on seems to avaiod the issue. So I asked ChatGPT for something I could use this week. It came up with a checklist.

Here’s what it proposes:

My Therapist Is On Vacation: A Self-Check-In Journal

This week may feel different, but you are not without support — you have yourself, your tools, and space to reflect. Use these journal prompts to check in with yourself and stay grounded while your therapist is away.

🌿 Self-Check-In Prompts

• What am I feeling right now, and where do I notice it in my body?
• What’s one thing that felt hard today, and how did I respond to it?
• What do I need emotionally today — comfort, space, motivation, connection?

🔍 Reflection Prompts

• What have I learned about myself in therapy that’s helping me today?
• Is there something I’ve wanted to explore with my therapist but haven’t yet? Why?
• When did I last feel proud of how I handled a tough situation? What did I do well?

💛 Compassion & Coping Prompts

• If I could speak to myself with my therapist’s voice right now, what would I say?
• What is one way I can show up for myself this week, especially without outside support?
• What does “taking care of myself” look like today, not in general?

In spite of this checklist, I am still looking forward to next week.

But I am aware that we all need time away. Next month, I will be meeting the kids and my grandchildren at Cape May, New Jersey. Even though I will not leave until Wednesday after my session, I will have time away from work.

So I will use the checklist, let my therapist enjoy her vacation, and not stress about the week