Are you a fan of Korean dramas? If so, then you might want to check it out.

 "Fix You". 

This drama series is a medical-themed drama that tackles the story of a psychiatrist who tries to help his patients overcome their emotional and psychological issues.

The story revolves around the life of Lee Si-Joon, a psychiatrist known for his unconventional methods of treating his patients. He believes that emotions can be cured just like any physical illness. However, he struggles with his emotional baggage as he tries to help his patients. 

One of his patients is Han Woo Joo, a musical actress who suffers from panic attacks. Si-Joon tries to help her overcome her fears and anxiety, but he gets emotionally attached to her. As he tries to help her, he also tries to confront his own issues and past traumas.

Characters

Han Woo Joo, played by Tae In Ho, is a talented actress who is haunted by her past. Her character is generous, easily gets mad, and always feels outcasted by society, especially by her mother due to her past traumatic experiences which were left alone, and abandoned.

Themes

"Fix You" tackles various themes such as mental health, trauma, and healing. It shows how mental illnesses can affect an individual's life and how seeking help can make a huge difference. It also illustrates how human beings can heal from their past traumas and find hope for the future.

What we learn from the drama ...

In this part, I will share things that I and someone have discussed before on our monthly agenda.

The interesting part is, how does the psychiatrist solve it? 

In this case, I believe that the writer was inspired by the technique that is developed by Moreno, psychodrama, to solve the mental issues of each patient.

So, according to Moreno (1921), Psychodrama is an action method, often used as a psychotherapy, in which clients use spontaneous dramatization, role-playing, and dramatic self-presentation to investigate and gain insight into their lives. 

Developed by Jacob L. Moreno and his wife Zerka Toeman Moreno, psychodrama includes elements of theatre, often conducted on a stage, or a space that serves as a staging area, where props can be used. 

A psychodrama therapy group, under the direction of a licensed psychodramatist, reenacts real-life, past situations (or inner mental processes), acting them out in the present time. 

Participants then have the opportunity to evaluate their behaviour, reflect on how the past incident is getting played out in the present and more deeply understand particular situations in their lives. 

Psychodrama offers a creative way for an individual or group to explore and solve personal problems. It may be used in a variety of clinical and community-based settings in which other group members (audience) are invited to become therapeutic agents (stand-ins) to populate the scene of one client. (from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychodrama) 

For most Indonesians, going to a psychiatrist is something that's shameful and probably should be avoided in life as long as they could. With the stigma that is strongly attached to mental disorders and their profession, including psychiatrists, it is rather demanding to make folks aware of going to a psychiatrist even though they obviously have a mental illness.

Even though awareness of the necessity to consult a psychiatrist is increased, this condition is only found in certain communities. Some still view mental illness as something that is good on its own and it is adequate just to remain and surrender.

If there is a challenge, there is a solution.

So, now...

What treatment does the psychiatrist provide to the patient at the first counselling session? 

Dr Andri briefly states that at least there are five things psychiatrists do for the patients who come to the first session.

Again, mental illness affects millions of individuals worldwide, and it's crucial to recognise that it can also impact our friends and loved ones. When someone close to us is struggling with mental health issues, it is pivotal to provide them support, understanding, and compassion. As close relatives, we play a significant role in assisting our friends through their mental health challenges. 

Meanwhile, we believe that some actions can be done such as educating ourselves, showing empathy and support, encouraging professional help, and staying connected, one of the most needed is something that's simpler than we expected which is offering our ear and listening to them.

Why?

Offering a listening ear to someone with mental illness is very pleasant because...

it validates their experiences and emotions, providing a safe space for them to express themselves. It reduces stigma by showing understanding and acceptance, building trust in the relationship. Actively listening helps identify warning signs and allows individuals to obtain clarity and perspective on their struggles. It encourages self-expression, empowering one to communicate their needs and seek support.

Overall, listening plays a vital role in providing emotional support, fostering open conversations, and contributing to their well-being.

So, start from now on please be there and listen to your partner, your child, your siblings, your friends or those who are close to you.

Closing...

I guess I have been talking too much and here we are on the last section, closing.

Before I close this article, I would like to share some of the memorable quotes that I got from the drama. I hope these quotes may cheer you up and brighten your day! 

Be mindful and grateful for everything that you have.  Thank you and have a great day.

Cheerio~ 

--------------

Media, K. C. (2012, February 8). Kalau ke Psikiater Diapain Sih? Halaman all - Kompas.com. KOMPAS.com. 

Photo by Ali Müftüoğulları from Pexels

I woke up this morning and suddenly cried.

I opened my eyes and all I could think was you.

Those things you've said to me.

And, for most...

All of today's early morning moments happened between us.

Those early morning wholesomenesses I felt.

I can't deny that I love you.

I feel so blessed you came.

You are being here with me.

At the right time, and moment.

Everything feels so right when it is you.

With you.

Only you.

Remember the second time you unofficially proposed me

Asked me to marry you?

With this, I repeat it again.

I consciously declare that " I do."

I want you to marry me,

I willingly want to be your wife.

I only want you to be my husband

I feel so blessed, so grateful.

Honestly speechless at the same time.

Not only for croissants.

But, I am also deeply in love with you.

Once again...

Everything feels so right when I'm with you.

I love you.

Farah Mayu Awaliyah, 9th January 2023

Is it the ambience?

Is it the raindrops falling on the rooftop?

Is it the routines?

The conversations?

Or is it you? Because of you?

'Cause when I sit, still, I thought I heard your voice.

Close my eyes, wishing I could see nothing but you.

Is it really you I'm missing?

I try not to think about what you're like.

Try not to wonder where you've been.

What you've done.

What are you doing.

I open my eyes wishing the illusion gone.

I really tried not to miss you.

But in the end...

I do.

I do.

I do.

And I really do.

Farah Mayu Awaliyah, 20th November 2022

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Once upon a time ketika aku sedang tidak dalam mode nomaden, lebih dari tujuh hari aku berdiam diri di rumah dalam masa pemulihan, nggak boleh pergi keluar sama sekali oleh ibu apalagi keluar kota, sudah tentu tidak ada kata yes. And she said, "wong masih sakit kok keluar, nanti nularin orang" sambil berkacak pinggang geleng-geleng mendengar permintaan konyolku.

"Ya sudah, nggak jadi kalau begitu. Di rumah terus sampai buluk deh."

Ya nggak lah, sampai sembuh saja cukup. Bercanda.

Akhirnya pagi ini aku diminta ibuku mengantarkan adikku berangkat ke sekolah. Nggak terasa tahunya adikku ini sudah beranjak remaja. Dengan gagahnya berpakaian putih abu-abu sembari menggendong tas punggung hitam peninggalanku. Tas export yang terlihat keren dan mahal pada jamanku. Rasanya seperti menjadi manusia paling keren pada saat itu. "Biar dunia tahu aku punya tas export hahahaha," pikirku saat itu. Yo nek saiki wes lapuk lah. 

Ibu bangun dan mulai memasak lebih pagi dari pada sebelumnya. Sebab di masa pandemi semua terasa nggak se-sibuk saat sudah kembali normal. Lebih tepatnya New Normal. Jadi agak sedikit butuh penyesuaian, begitu tuturnya.

"Teh bantuin Ibu masak nih."

"Iya bu, bentar teteh beresin kamar dulu."

Selimut sudah terlipat rapi, bantal dan guling ditaruh pada tempatnya. Kulirik meja belajarku yang meskipun selalu rapi, aku selalu berusaha membereskannya kembali. Memastikan letak laptop lurus sejajar, keyboard dan mouse yang jaraknya pas, sedap dipandang mata dan nggak boleh miring. Botol minum yang isinya tinggal separuh pun langsung kuteguk. Kemudian menaruh satu buku yang semalam setelah dibaca lupa nggak langsung di taruh bersamaan dengan tumpukkan buku lainnya.

Dua hal yang selalu aku pastikan rapi (meskipun yang lainnya juga rapi sih) di bagian kamarku adalah kasur dan juga meja belajar. Berdasarkan artikel serta beberapa jurnal yang telah kubaca, kebersihan dan kerapihan meja belajar serta tempat kita tidur akan sangat mempengaruhi semangat serta produktivitas kita saat hendak berkegiatan. 

Contohnya, bayangkan saja jika seorang mahasiswa hendak mengerjakan skripsinya yang belum rampung atau aku yang hendak melanjutkan tulisanku ataupun mereka para freelancer yang hampir kebanyakan menghabiskan waktu di meja tempatnya bekerja, baru saja ingin duduk, diri sudah disuguhkan dengan pemandangan tidak sedap. Meja berantakan, buku bertumpuk nggak karuan sana sini, sisir di sana, dompet di sini. Kabel charger laptop sleweran nggak jelas, kaca mata yang biasa akan digunakan pun wujudnya entah ada di mana. Wes mumet malah tambah mumet. Nggak enakkan? 

Lantas, solusinya bagaimana? 

Biasanya nih, ya jalan keluarnya memindahkan semua barang yang ada di meja ke atas tempat tidur. Iya kan? Hayo ngaku siapa yang masih suka kayak gitu? Dengan embel-embel pasrah dan perasaan malas membereskannya (yang penting mejanya dulu aja deh) pun membuat kita tanpa berpikir panjang melakukan hal tersebut.

Dengan dalih tak ada waktu lagi untuk bebersih, tumpukkan buku yang tadinya berada di meja kini berpindah ke atas kasur, belum lagi handuk habis mandi nggak langsung dijemur tergeletak sembarangan di atas sprei yang bentuknya sudah nggak karuan, printilan barang-barang kecil yang mengganggu pun segera di masukan ke dalam laci kecil di bawah meja yang mana isi lacinya sudah seperti kapal pecah, super berantakan. SRETT! Ditutuplah pintu laci tersebut, menyembunyikan sejuta kekacawan di dalamnya. 

Dari situ pun aku sadar. Ternyata benar, bahwa kerapihan itu sangat berpengaruh terhadap produktivitas kita. Bukankah lebih nyaman jika meja terlihat rapi, kita nggak perlu repot-repot harus menyaksikan kesemrawutannya.  

Setelah selesai merapikan kamar, aku pun bergegas ke arah wastafel untuk mencuci tangan dan mencuci muka. 

"Mau masak apa bu?"

Sembari mencuci sayuran yang hendak ditumis, ibu menjawab, "Pagi ini kita masak oseng waluh, bikin telur dadar sama goreng ayam tempe tahu untuk sarapan sekaligus bekal adik ke sekolah dan bekal ayah ke kantor."

"Oke."

Long story short semuanya sudah rampung, tinggal aku yang masih siap-siap hendak mengantar adik ke sekolah.

"Teteh." Panggil adikku.

"Apaan?" Timpalku ketus.

"Buruan udah siap belum, ini udah jam setengah tujuh lebih. Teteh yang anter kan?"

"Iya, iya, bentar dulu ini kan lagi siap-siap. Bawel lu." Jawabku dari dalam pintu kamar yang tertutup.

Dalam hitungan menit, kami pun sudah siap dan hendak berangkat. 

"Udah salim sama ayah ibu belum?" tanyaku.

"Oh iya belum..hehe. Bentar ya teh," jawabnya yang tak jadi menaiki motor.

Tak lama setelah itu adikku kembali muncul kehadapanku dan kami pun berteriak secara bersamaan, "Ibu, ayah, kita berangkaaaatt!"

Tin-tin, kubunyikan klakson sembari memajukan motor.

Berangkaaaattt...

~Cheerio!

Photo by Medhat Ayad from Pexels

[From Asiye].........

Asiye went to watch Everywhere All at Once in the theatre with her family last week (it was a disaster, she would not recommend watching it with family, at all), then ended up watching the movie with a beloved person in discord. They did cry for very long and she ended up crying once again after hearing a googly eye reference. 

The movie left her quite speechless; she spent hours comparing works of literature to the movie (the Minecraft and poem had her crying, shaking, and throwing up *metaphorically of course*), questioning the meaning of her life and the mundane in everything around her. She spent the next few days questioning the importance of her worries and realising how they are a very very tiny part of the beautiful and terrific cosmos.

by tubikblog @tubikstudion.com

Asiye said,

however aside from all that hassle my dear friend, the meaning of life might be different for all of us. It could be sticking googly eyes on random places or writing silly letters or hugging our friends! It could also be saving or travelling the world to save the whole cosmos. Whatever our purpose or meaning is, we deserve love and forgiveness.

Remember how the world used to feel on your best days, expansive and bright. That world is still here, and you enable to find your way back to it. - madame clairevoyant

It really all comes down to love (oh god, please let it all come down to love), maybe it's all regarding letting the soft animal of your body love what it loves, as my dear friend Mary Oliver said in her very beloved poem "Wild Geese"; You do not have to be good, you do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. Let your hands go, you do not have to hold the spring between your hands, let your hands hold another (a tree perhaps). My dear lovely friend, let your heart rest, you do not have to walk with the weight of the world on your chest. (You do not have to be good). Come sit under the shade of a tree with me.

And the universe said, "I love you" because you are love, and you can try again. You can try loving as much as you'd like (because love is all around us) (because we are love and we are loved), because the only hopeful thing there is, is to try. My dear friend, you do not have to stay stuck under the burden of your mistakes, you do not always have to try your best. Ocean Vuong was indeed right, as we are on earth very briefly gorgeous, we can be ugly, and things can get messy. Let it all down and sit under a pretty tree.

My dear dear darling friend, let's live our teeny tiny lives in this cosmos as messily and clumsily we would like, let's allow ourselves to fall down and overflow for the 5th time that day, we do not have to be good, all we need to do is rest and try again, all we can do is to forgive. All we can do is try to be kinder everyday.

by @mrotisky on Twitter

Asiye still said,

my dearest friends, I send you the warmest hugs and hope you are doing well despite the wind that seems to have caught all of us these days. We are doing well, we shall be well.

Warmly, Asiye.

Here's her poem that I love so much.

~Cheerio