Finding Comfort During Uncertainty
“In the chaos of this year, remember this is temporary; this will pass.”
This theme is woven into conversations with the clients Jill (Hop) Nagelkirk ‘14 counsels at her practice, Boundless Life Counseling, hoping to provide comfort in the midst of so much uncertainty brought upon by this year.
Nagelkirk ambitiously launched her practice in 2017, after receiving her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Trinity and her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI). She primarily works with women ages 16 and above and specializes in eating disorders and trauma work.
With the pandemic came an uptick in the number of clients she sees. Not only is Nagelkirk witnessing increased anxiety that comes along with the many changes of 2020, but she’s also seeing clients crave their communities that were taken away. “Losing that community with others is a loss of connection and purpose; not having those face-to-face experiences has been really hard on people,” Nagelkirk says.
She also points out that Western culture gives us an excuse to roll into the hustle and bustle of always being on the go, almost enforcing the stigma that it’s not socially acceptable to move at a slower pace. “A lot of shame comes with that, feeling like we need to be doing more,” Nagelkirk points out. “In times of deserts is when our deepest desires tend to come up. People are trying to do life on their own; slowing down helps you realize you crave being around people and having those connections.”
Nagelkirk challenges her clients to be creative in building community, such as having lunch with a friend over a video call, taking a socially distanced hike with a loved one, or sharing a cup of coffee outdoors. “Continue doing what you’ve always done, just put a twist on it.”
She and her husband, Matt ‘12, make their home in Holland, Michigan. Nagelkirk values the importance of self-care and doesn’t offer office hours on Fridays. “My work with my clients is only as good as my self-care is, especially during the pandemic,” Nagelkirk says.
Looking back on her time at Trinity, Nagelkirk credits the foundation laid during those four years to the success she’s experiencing in her career today. Through professors who taught with grace and care for their students, Nagelkirk actively applies those foundations to how she interacts with her clients. She also notes how her spiritual life grew while studying at Trinity, specifically by attending weekly Praise and Worship and participating in Bible study groups on campus. “There was intentionality behind the connections I made at Trinity by experiencing Christ with others.”
Helping clients build their own connections in a time where they are valued most is a gift for Nagelkirk, reminding them that this is a season of their lives. “Not only is the pandemic temporary, but so are our lives here on this Earth. This is my earthly home, and there’s comfort in recognizing that.”