06/22/2023
Like hermit crabs, who find shells to live in, we humans have also developed forms of protection throughout our lives. As hermit crabs grow, they find new, bigger shells for protection. And as WE adapt and change, we often find that our “smaller shells” no longer serve us and we too must find new ways of protecting ourselves. This space between the “smaller” and “bigger” shells is often where a lot of therapeutic work takes place.
This is a vulnerable space. When hermit crabs molt they often bury themselves under the sand to protect themselves from predators while they are “soft”. Similarly for us, when we feel particularly vulnerable it’s important to honor that we may need to treat ourselves with more gentleness, care, and understanding. This might even mean we disengage from certain situations or relationships for a time until we feel stronger. And once we do, we can move forward with courage and resilience, like the hermit crabs.