6:15 am
It's the start of another day!
Another beautiful morning!
My name is Adam Kenn and, I am a Psychiatrist! That feels so good to say. Although, It's not true. I'm not a psychiatrist just yet. I'm going to be completing my post-degree supervised work experience for the next two years at the YCMHTC (youth counselling and mental health treatment centre) today. I look forward to it! Although, I am a bit nervous because I am the youngest intern. Most people start their supervised work experience after eight years of university but I started after six. Also, I just turned twenty so ordinarily, I should only be in my second or third-year college but I finished high school at 14. (I skipped a few grades). I love psychology because I'm eager to learn how people think and why they do what they do. Why are our thought processes so different? Why are our perspectives so different? People with nearly identical life experiences can turn out completely different as can identical twins who are a genetic copy of each other. It's not just biological but it's not just environmental. The human psyche is a vast ocean of mystery and I want to find out as much as I can about it. I chose a youth counselling centre for my supervised work experience because the outdated notion that one can be 'too young' to struggle mentally is something that's always bothered me. From my experience alone I can say that high school is a breeding ground for anxiety and depression. I can admit that my struggles had more to do with the fact that my classmates were much older than me and so fitting in was bound to be a problem but I also observed them suffer in their own ways. Adults like to believe they reserve the right to be stressed because they work and have bills to pay whereas children get to freeload off their parents. But in school, not only are you expected to perform well in academics but in extracurriculars as well and if that doesn't happen then you are considered a weak student and constantly berated about how no college would accept an average student. They're saying if you don't do well in activities designed for people with certain strengths then you're never going to have a good life. If that's not enough to stress someone out I don't know what is. That's why working at YCMHTC is so exciting because it's a place dedicated to helping young minds tackle the challenges they face. Young minds are the best option for observation when trying to understand people. They're still forming personalities and opinions so I'll get to watch that process. Rather, I'm going to get a glimpse of it.
I like to begin my day by making my bed and doing a short yoga set. It's a great way to get rid of that morning grogginess. I do about thirty minutes of stretches before getting in the shower. Cold showers are the best! Especially after a workout! Fun fact, cold showers cause our brain to release endorphins which are also known as happiness hormones! It works kind of like electro-shock therapy and results in alertness, and clarity as well as increased energy levels resulting in a more optimistic attitude. This is actually due to the subconscious fear of drowning that's triggered once the water hits the skin. Cold showers also improve metabolism and circulation.
The next activity on my schedule is going to the gym. I was fortunate enough to move into an apartment building that has one and I get to use it for free since I am a resident. I throw on the fresh pair of sweats which I'd left folded on my desk the previous night and race out of my apartment. Keeping a healthy routine is a key element in having a healthy mind. Working out in the morning is a good place to start when setting up one's daily routine because, after a morning workout, you won't feel lazy to keep up with the rest of your day's planned activities.
After an hour of subjecting my body to weight training, I rush back to my apartment to get ready for work (I feel like such an adult! Well... technically, I am an adult but now I feel like one.) Following a cold rinse to cool myself off, I take a warm shower. The more time passes the more anxious I feel about my first day. I mean, I've been waiting six years for this day and here it is. I study the attire I'd picked to wear in the mirror. I decided to go with the classic sweater vest look most psychologists wear in movies because I couldn't figure out what else to wear. It doesn't look half bad though.
Making a good first impression is important and appearance is everything when it comes to first impressions. I can't look too casual but if I show up to my first day in something intensely professional I'll look like I'm trying way too hard. A psychologist needs to look professional but also approachable.
I make my way to the kitchen and take out a pre-prepared fruit bowl from my fridge to have as my breakfast. Maintaining a healthy diet is also an important factor in keeping a healthy mind as well as the body. I check my phone and notice the time. "It's already eight-fifteen? I need to leave!" My shift starts at nine and the youth centre is 20 minutes away by foot, so I have 25 minutes to spare, however, I was hoping to stop by a nearby café as well for coffee. I discovered it on the day of my job interview. It's just across the street from YCMHTC and has the best coffee in the entire world. I think it's called Beanies. I make sure my home is in order and check to make sure I have everything I need for work before leaving.
***
The heavy scent of pastries and coffee beans forces its way into my nose the instant I set foot into the café. I saunter to the counter, taking my time because I only took twelve minutes to make it to the cafe and since YCMHTC is just across the street I have a little over thirty minutes to spare. The place isn't too crowded and the calmest, spirit-lifting music plays from the speakers. "Welcome to Beanies! May I take your order?" A short brunette barista chimes at me. Her eyes are stubbornly fixed on me. It's kind of weird but she's probably just eager to serve me. "I'll have a peppermint mocha, please, no foam and two sugars"
She types my order into the tablet that's mounted on the counter and then looks back up at me. "Anything else?" I ponder getting a bagel but decide against it and shake my head, "No thanks, that'll be all" her eyes linger on me for a moment and she only resumes what she was doing after I chuckle nervously.
I don't enjoy eye contact.
.
With another tap on the tablet screen, she confirms my order. "So is that to go, or will you have that here?" She asks. I better just take it to go because I want to be early for work. Bien early is a good way to show my dedication and work ethic. "To go," I tell her. "Are you sure you wanna have it to go? I mean, you should stick around." She quips.
I also don't enjoy small talk. But I'll just have to humour her because I can only imagine how hard it must be to work in the service industry. Rude customers, indecisive customers, entitled customers, customers who don't give clear instructions on what they want, customers who overcomplicate their orders, and so on... "I would love to stay but I have to go to work," I explain. She frowns at me and I stiffen, unsure about what I should do. Is she upset? Was I rude? I tried
to be as polite as I can. What did I do wrong?
"So you're a working man, that's so cool." I nod and she smiles. I guess she wasn't upset after all. "Thank you," I say, but I'm not sure if that was the correct response. There's a chance she's being sarcastic because I don't see how being a 'working man' Is cool. "You look fit, do you work out?" I nod again and she places her hand on my arm. I flinch but she doesn't notice. I guess it just caught me off guard that she just all of a sudden decided to hold my arm.
At least she's not making awkward eye contact anymore.
"Maybe you can train me sometime," She suggests "I've always wanted to be fit. My name is Kate by the way." Before I can respond, someone recites my order and places a coffee cup on the kitchen pass window. She collects my order but doesn't hand it to me immediately, "So, will you train me?" She picks up our previous conversation. "Oh, I am not a trainer." My best friend, Miche is one though. Maybe I should recommend him to her? "I can recommend a good one though!
She grabs a napkin and writes something down on before handing it to me. It's a phone number. I'm guessing it's her's. She probably can't talk much since she's at work and would like me to send the info to her directly. "Text me..." She mouths. I guess I was right, she wants me to text her Miche's details. I'll make sure to send her his training schedule as well as the details of the gym. But I'll do all that later. I leave the cafe and eagerly walk to work.
I walk into the lobby of YCMHTC and am hit by the cool breeze of the air conditioning. "Good Morning!" The secretary says, snatching my attention. "Oh! Uhm... hi! Uh... my name's Adam... Kenn... I... Uh..."
"Oh! You're one of the interns?"
"Yes! Yeah... I am"
"Wow, you look so young."
Should I say thank you or should I say it's because I am young? I just turned twenty. How should I respond to that? " Oh... uhm... I get that a lot."
"Well, my name is Alexandria but you can just call me Alex." She smiles and tucks a lock of her ginger hair behind her ear. She searches her desk for a second before pulling out a paper and handing it to me. "This is your schedule for today. For now, you can wait for Dr Olsen in the staff lounge. It's on the second floor, down the hall and to your right."
"Thank you." I nod, "And it was nice to meet you, Alex."
"Nice to meet you too Adam. I look forward to working with you."
"Likewise."