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Welcome to The New You!
Please begin by choosing the Gender of your character:
[[Male]]
[[Female]]You have selected the Male character journey!
Please take a moment to review some information about your character:
''Name:'' <<textbox "$name" "Joe" autofocus>>
//(Type your name above to personalize)//
''Marital Status:'' Single
''Occupation:'' Art Dealer
''Background:'' As Joe/You, you take on the role of being a successful man that seems to have //everything// going for him. But that's just the outsiders perspective.
''You'' know the real truth: Despite all of your success, you're not happy at all.
Lately you've had trouble finding true happiness in your life. Although your job has brought you significant success, your other passions have not. After confiding your difficulties in one of your friends, she shared a similar story of how she was able to get through it. Her solution was therapy.
That brings you to Kim -- a therapist that your friend suggested. Despite your skepticism you decide to give it a shot.
It can't hurt to try it, right?
[[Go to your 1st therapy session->Go to your 1st therapy session-M]]You have selected the Female character journey!
Please take a moment to review some information about your character:
''Name:'' Joanne
''Marital Status:'' Single
''Occupation:'' Art Dealer
''Background:'' As Joanne, you take on the role of being a strong, beautiful woman that seems to have //everything// going for her. But that's just the outsiders perspective.
''You'' know the real truth: Despite the pretty happy face everyone sees on the outside, you're not happy at all.
Lately you've had trouble finding true happiness in your life. Although your job has brought you significant success, your other passions have not. After confiding your difficulties in one of your friends, she shared a similar story of how she was able to get through it. Her solution was therapy.
That brings you to Kim -- a therapist that your friend suggested. Despite your skepticism you decide to give it a shot.
It can't hurt to try it, right?
[[Go to your 1st therapy session]]<<silently>>\
<<run UIBar.stow()>>
/* RE-ADD */<<set $domainpath = "http://www.scissored.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NewYou-p1-">>
<</silently>>\You walk through the door to Kim's office. It's extremely rare that you ever feel nervous, but you can't help but admit to yourself that there's a tint of it now.
//'Telling a total stranger everything about myself... I don't know about this'//, you think to yourself.
Still, you enter through the doorway.
A woman you presume to be Kim greets you with a confident smile. She reaches her hand out, preparing for a handshake.
[img[$domainpath + "01.png"]]
[[Introduce yourself]]"Pleased to meet you, Joanne", Kim replies. "I'm Kim".
"I've been looking forward to meeting you", she adds.
[img[$domainpath + "02.png"]]
[[Gotta be honest, I was hesitant about coming here]]
[[Great, I'm looking forward to this too]]
[[Smile and wait]]"Ahh, don't worry about it", Kim says reassuringly.
She steps towards a book of notes on a small table and continues, "A lot of people feel the same way before the first time"
[img[$domainpath + "03.png"]]
[[So I'm not the only one. Good to know, hah->Smile and wait]]
[[Smile and nod->Smile and wait]]"Happy to hear it", Kim replies. "It makes the process a lot easier when I'm working with someone who truly wants to let me help them"
[img[$domainpath + "03.png"]]
[[Yeah, I can imagine->Smile and wait]]
[[Smile and nod->Smile and wait]]You pace around the room as Kim shuffles through her notes.
She stops and turns around, motioning towards the small couch. "Go ahead and sit down.. get comfortable", she suggests.
[img[$domainpath + "04.png"]]
[[Sit]]"Ok sorry, I think we're good to begin now", Kim says as she heads back towards her chair.
[img[$domainpath + "05.png"]]
[[Sounds good]]
[[Wait for her to start->Sounds good]]"So, why don't you start by telling me what brings you here", Kim asks.
[img[$domainpath + "06.png"]]
[[A friend of mine recommended you]]
[[Just looking for a way out of my misery.. hoping you can help me find it]]"Fair enough, but do you think that's truly //why// you're here?", Kim replies.
"Why do you think your friend recommended you?"
[img[$domainpath + "07.png"]]
[[I don't know.. you asked why I'm here and I just told you]]
[[I suppose I'd just hoped you might be able to give me some advice to improve my life->Just looking for a way out of my misery.. hoping you can help me find it]]"I hope so too", Kim says. "But we'll need to trust each other a little"
"Are you open to trusting me with sharing your feelings?"
[img[$domainpath + "09.png"]]
[[Sure]]
[[It'll be tough, but I'll try->Sure]]"Look, if you don't think you wanna be here, I'm not going to hold you hostage, Joanne", Kim replies.
"Do you want me to try and help you?"
[img[$domainpath + "08.png"]]
[[Yes, sorry]]
[[I do. I just thought I was answering your question]]
[[No, I think I should leave]]"Wanting to be here is a great start", Kim says. "But we have to get back to the 'why'".
"You don't have to give out a bunch of details right now, but it helps to have a general goal of what you hoped to get out of this"
[img[$domainpath + "09.png"]]
[[I guess I'm just unhappy. If I could pinpoint 1 single reason myself, I probably wouldn't be here->Hard to pick 1 thing... I just want to be happy]]
[[I'm here because if there's a chance you can help me think of way to improve my life or my way of thinking, I'd like to take it->Hard to pick 1 thing... I just want to be happy]]"I get it, it's fine... Let me re-phrase", Kim says.
"If I could help change 1 thing for you, what would it be?", she asks.
[img[$domainpath + "09.png"]]
[[Hard to pick 1 thing... I just want to be happy]]
[[To get rid of all the negativity in my life->Hard to pick 1 thing... I just want to be happy]]You get up and exit the room, leaving Kim slightly baffled.
[[Try again->Intro]]
<a href="http://www.scissored.net/stories">Back to Stories</a>"That's fair", Kim replies. "Is this your first time seeing a counselor?"
[img[$domainpath + "10.png"]]
[[It is, yes]]"Great. And is this your first time seeing a counselor?", she asks
[img[$domainpath + "10.png"]]
[[Yup->It is, yes]]
[[Yeah. Assuming you don't count the high school guidance counselor, hah->It is, yes]]"The truth is, nobody comes to me if they're 100% happy with their life", Kim explains.
"What I can do is help share a different perspective on situations you've encountered that didn't go the way you'd hoped", she continues.
"Is there any specific area of your life where you find things more troublesome than others? Your professional life for example"
[img[$domainpath + "11.png"]]
[[No, I love my work. It's great]]
[[My problems are more... personal->No, I love my work. It's great]]"Personal life then, okay..", Kim says pensively.
"When it comes to personal life, a lot of people root their unhappiness back to family or marriage. Do you think that could be the case for you?", she asks.
[img[$domainpath + "12.png"]]
[[No -- I'm not married and my family is fairly distant, so there's no drama there]]
[[Maybe -- Most of my family lives far away and I'm single right now. It doesn't bother me, but.. do you think it's a problem?]]
[[Yes -- In the sense that not having a marriage bothers me a little]]"But perhaps that's actually the issue", Kim suggests. "You're doing without a lot of the usual support systems that most of us tend to rely on"
"When we're down, our family brings us back up. When we're having a bad day, it's our husband or wife that's there for us to lean on"
[img[$domainpath + "13.png"]]
[[Not me. I don't need a man to be happy. They need me, and I find most of them boring->It's not like I haven't tried... I've dated..]]
[[It's not like I haven't tried... I've dated..]]"Appreciate the honesty", Kim replies.
"But what about it bothers you?"
[img[$domainpath + "13.png"]]
[[I just feel like it shouldn't be that hard to find the right partner->It's not like I haven't tried... I've dated..]]"Possibly", Kim replies. "There's no 1 right way to live. This process isn't about what I think is a problem, it's about what ''you'' think is a problem".
"As an example, maybe you aren't dating by choice? Maybe that makes you happier?", she asks.
[img[$domainpath + "13.png"]]
[[I've dated.. but it never works out->It's not like I haven't tried... I've dated..]]"Joanne, would you describe yourself as a //dominant// person?", Kim inquires.
[img[$domainpath + "14.png"]]
[[Sure->Sure2]]
[[I suppose so->Sure2]]
[[No, because "dominant" has a negative connotation. I'd say I fill the leadership role in a relationship better than the man does->Sure2]]Kim uncrosses and re-crosses her legs.
"I ask because a woman with a strong personality can sometimes clash with a man in a relationship", she elaborates.
"What kind of men or women do you typically date?"
[img[$domainpath + "15.png"]]
[[All kinds of men and women]]
[[Successful, confident men usually]]
[[Men who appreciate me. Men who can take a backseat to me without having their pride damaged]]"Can you think of any common trends in your romantic relationships?"
[img[$domainpath + "16.png"]]
[[Yeah, they all ended within 6 months]]"Can you think of any common trends in your romantic relationships?"
[img[$domainpath + "16.png"]]
[[Don't think so. I mean, none of them were long term. We'd always hit a wall sooner than later->Yeah, they all ended within 6 months-Strong]]"Can you think of any common trends in your romantic relationships?"
[img[$domainpath + "16.png"]]
[[I was the one that ended the relationship in each case, after a few months->Yeah, they all ended within 6 months-Weak]]"Would you mind expanding on that a little? What happened during that time?"
[img[$domainpath + "17.png"]]
[[Things are amazing in the beginning. I'm usually pretty quick to either click with someone or know it's not worth it right away]]"Would you mind expanding on that a little? What happened throughout the relationship?"
[img[$domainpath + "17.png"]]
[[Things would start well. 3 months in was always the high point. Very successful men can be difficult at first, but I can always break them into saddle and earn their respect]]"Would you mind expanding on that a little? What happened in that time frame?"
[img[$domainpath + "17.png"]]
[[For the first while, everything is great. They'll entertain all of my odd interests and things I like to do]]"Hah. A fellow equestrian I see", Kim smirks. "So, what goes wrong?"
[img[$domainpath + "18.png"]]
[[They get tired of being the horse I guess, hehe. They start to lash out]]"But then...?"
[img[$domainpath + "18.png"]]
[[It's too easy. There's no challenge. No spark.]]"That's fantastic.. but then what's the problem?"
[img[$domainpath + "18.png"]]
[[I get bored, I guess.. Once I've climbed the mountain.. I don't know what else to do]]"How does it make you feel when there's no spark?"
[img[$domainpath + "19.png"]]
[[Angry -- it makes me feel.. abusive towards them]]"How does it make you feel when they lash out?"
[img[$domainpath + "19.png"]]
[[Angry -- it makes me feel.. abusive towards them]]"How does it make you feel when you get to that point?"
[img[$domainpath + "19.png"]]
[[Angry -- it makes me feel.. abusive towards them]]"Abusive... I appreciate your honesty", Kim replies with a hint of surprise. "Everything here is entirely confidential, just as a reminder".
"When you say 'abusive', I assume you mean in an emotional sense?"
[img[$domainpath + "20.png"]]
[[No, it makes me want to get more physical with them]]
[[Yeah, sure->No, it makes me want to get more physical with them]]
[[Both emotional and physical->No, it makes me want to get more physical with them]]Before you can answer, there's a knock at the door.
"Oh, shoot", Kim blurts out. "I'm sorry, but I have another appointment. We'll have to continue this in the next session"
"Hold onto that thought though! We were doing well!", she adds.
[img[$domainpath + "21.png"]]
[[Alright, I'll see you next time]]
[[Wait, don't I get any advice yet?]]"Thanks for coming in Joanne, I'll see you next week", Kim says as she waves goodbye for now.
[img[$domainpath + "23.png"]]
[[Try again->Intro]]
<a href="http://www.scissored.net/stories">Back to Stories</a>"I really want to hear more of your story first. Advice without knowledge of the matter at hand won't be beneficial", Kim says. "But... "
"One thing I like to tell everyone is that even though this process is mental, I'm a firm believer that the mind and body go hand-in-hand", she explains.
"Now, you look like you're already in fabulous shape, but I've found physical fitness can bring happiness to people who need it. So for you, I'd just say keep doing what you're doing in that area and don't let up"
[img[$domainpath + "22.png"]]
[[Okay, thanks]]
[[Alright then I guess I'll wait until next week for more->Okay, thanks]]"Thanks Joanne, have a good day", Kim says as she waves goodbye for now.
[img[$domainpath + "23.png"]]
[[Try again->Intro]]
<a href="http://www.scissored.net/stories">Back to Stories</a>As you walk through the door you see a beautiful woman, preparing for a handshake.
//'That must be her... didn't expect the therapist to be so hot'//, you think to yourself.
[img[$domainpath + "01.png"]]
[[Shake her hand and introduce yourself]]"Pleased to meet you $name", Kim says. "I'm Kim".
"I've been looking forward to meeting you", she adds.
[img[$domainpath + "02.png"]]
[[I'm actually excited about it too. I'm hoping this'll help]]
[[I was very unsure about this, but hey, I'm giving it a try]]
[[Nod]]"Happy to hear it", Kim replies. "It makes the process a lot easier when I'm working with someone who truly wants to let me help them"
[img[$domainpath + "03.png"]]
[[Makes sense->Nod]]
[[Smile and nod->Nod]]"No worries", Kim replies. "That's pretty normal actually".
She steps towards a book of notes on a small table and continues, "A lot of people aren't all that comfortable until we actually get started. You'll see".
[img[$domainpath + "03.png"]]
[[Figures->Nod]]
[[Glad to hear it's not just me->Nod]]You watch Kim as she shuffles through her notes.
She stops and turns around, motioning towards the small couch. "Go ahead and sit down.. get comfortable", she suggests.
[img[$domainpath + "04.png"]]
[[Sit->SitM]]"Okay, let's get started", Kim says as she heads back towards her chair.
[img[$domainpath + "05.png"]]
[[Alright]]
[[Wait->Alright]]"So, why don't you start by telling me what brings you here", Kim asks.
[img[$domainpath + "06.png"]]
[[A friend recommended you to me]]
[[Just taking a risk.. looking for help with my problems from a different source]]
[[Isn't that your job? To tell me what my problem is?]]
[[I'm not as happy as I could be and some of my problems are a bit unusual. I thought you could help]]"Impressive answer", Kim replies. "It's good that you're willing to take a risk and break outside of your routine to improve your life".
"The reality of this is that it won't always be easy", Kim says. "I might ask you to share things with me that could be uncomfortable".
"Are you open to that?"
[img[$domainpath + "09.png"]]
[[Sure->Yeah, I'm ready]]
[[I think so->Yeah, I'm ready]]
[[No. I don't want to get into personal details]]"No $name, that isn't what we do here", Kim replies sternly. "I'm here to //help// you".
"But I can't do that by myself. We need to work together to understand the areas that you want to change", she explains.
"Are you sure you're ready to work together on this?"
[img[$domainpath + "08.png"]]
[[Yeah, I'm ready]]
[[No, I don't like how this is going. I'm outta here]]"Well, I can assure you that I've seen a lot and heard a lot here and very little is 'unusal' to me", Kim says. "The important thing is that you sound ready for help".
"Do you have any other concerns about this process?", Kim asks. "I can assure you that everything said in this room will be kept private and confidential".
[img[$domainpath + "09.png"]]
[[No, I don't have any other concerns->Yeah, I'm ready]]
[[On second thought, I'm not sure I want to be sharing personal stuff->No. I don't want to get into personal details]]"Great. And is this your first time seeing a counselor?", she asks
[img[$domainpath + "10.png"]]
[[Ya, this is my first time]]You get up and exit the room, leaving Kim seated in her chair in disbelief.
[[Try again->Intro]]
<a href="http://www.scissored.net/stories">Back to Stories</a>"Of course, but do you think that's really //why// you're here?", Kim replies.
"Why do you think your friend recommended you?"
[img[$domainpath + "07.png"]]
[[I guess they could see I wasn't happy]]
[[What's the point of me paying for this if I have to tell you all the answers? Aren't you the one that should be giving me the answers?->Isn't that your job? To tell me what my problem is?]]
"Sounds like you've got a good friend", Kim remarks.
"I want to be honest with you.. this won't always be easy", Kim says. "I might ask you to share things with me that could be uncomfortable".
"Are you open to that?"
[img[$domainpath + "09.png"]]
[[Yes I am->Yeah, I'm ready]]
[[I think so->Yeah, I'm ready]]
[[No. I don't want to get into personal details]]"I can understand that", Kim says. "But I wouldn't want you to waste your time or money here if you don't think you'll be able to work with me".
"Are you sure you want to proceed?"
[img[$domainpath + "08.png"]]
[[Yes, I am. I'll do my best->Yeah, I'm ready]]
[[No, sorry, I think I should leave->No, I don't like how this is going. I'm outta here]] "The truth is, nobody comes to me if they're 100% happy with their life", Kim explains.
"What I can do is help share a different perspective on situations you've encountered that didn't go the way you'd hoped", she continues.
"Is there any specific area of your life where you find things more troublesome than others? Your professional life for example"
[img[$domainpath + "11.png"]]
[[Nope, work is good]]
[[No, it's more personal issues->Nope, work is good]]"Personal life then, okay..", Kim says pensively.
"When it comes to personal life, a lot of people root their unhappiness back to family or marriage. Do you think that could be the case for you?", she asks.
[img[$domainpath + "12.png"]]
[[No -- I'm single and don't have any problems with extended family]]
[[Maybe -- I haven't had a lot of dating success.. do you think that could be affecting me more than I realize?]]
[[Yes -- I'm single, but not exactly 'happily' single]]"It's good that you don't have any family problems", Kim says. "That simplifies things.. a little".
"But are you content with being single?", she asks.
[img[$domainpath + "13.png"]]
[[No, I guess not]]"Possibly", Kim replies.
"With so many other things in your life going well, it could exacerbate a problem you're having in another area", she elaborates.
"Unless there's some other area of your life you feel is lacking?"
[img[$domainpath + "13.png"]]
[[Nothing else stands out->No, I guess not]]
[[Maybe, but it's hard to think of something right this moment->No, I guess not]] "Ah, maybe we're onto something then", Kim says.
"Have you been single a long time?"
[img[$domainpath + "13.png"]]
[[Not really->No, I guess not]]
[[Yes->No, I guess not]]
[[Nope, not long->No, I guess not]] "It's important to understand that a relationship or a significant other doesn't determine our value as people", Kim explains.
"Do you ever feel like your self worth has gone down after a break-up?", Kim asks.
[img[$domainpath + "14.png"]]
[[Yes, very much so, if I'm being honest]]
[[No]]
[[No more than it would for anyone else. I get over it pretty quickly though]]"Well, you're not alone", Kim says, shifting her position. "You've gone through it, I've gone through it, we've all been through it".
"The important thing is what we learn from it", she adds. "What do you feel you've learned from how your relationships have ended?"
[img[$domainpath + "15.png"]]
[[I'm not sure]]
[[Nothing really. That's why I'm here I guess->I'm not sure]]
[[That I shouldn't trust my own instincts with women, heh]]"I hope you know that you can be honest with me, $name", Kim says. "But that's good. I'm glad you realize you're still the man you are no matter who you're with or not with".
"The truth is that you can learn a lot from a break-up. Is there anything you feel you've learned?", she asks.
[img[$domainpath + "15.png"]]
[[Can't think of anything->I'm not sure]]
[[Maybe I wouldn't need therapy if I learned more->I'm not sure]]
[[Just not to let myself get too close to someone too fast->That I shouldn't trust my own instincts with women, heh]]"That's a very logical answer, $name", Kim says. "It sounds like you handle break-ups even better than I do", she adds with smile.
"The important thing is what you take from the experience", Kim continues. "What would you say you've learned from concluding a relationship?"
[img[$domainpath + "15.png"]]
[[I don't know->I'm not sure]]
[[Not a darn thing->I'm not sure]]
"That's okay, I won't push", Kim says.
"Can I ask if you think there's a common reason to any of your break-ups?"
[img[$domainpath + "16.png"]]
[[That's the thing, I never understood why]]
[[The only common reason was that there never seemed to be a reason. Always felt I was doing all I could to keep things together->That's the thing, I never understood why]]
[[I tend to get the "it's not you, it's me" excuse a lot->That's the thing, I never understood why]]"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself", Kim says.
"I'd like to ask if you think there's a common reason to any of your break-ups?"
[img[$domainpath + "16.png"]]
[[That's the thing, I never understood why]]
[[The only common reason was that there never seemed to be a reason. Always felt I was doing all I could to keep things together->That's the thing, I never understood why]]
[[I tend to get the "it's not you, it's me" excuse a lot->That's the thing, I never understood why]]"There must have been more to it than that.. Can you expand on any of the discussions?", Kim says.
[img[$domainpath + "17.png"]]
[[I was always the one wanting to stay together]]
[[Honestly, I can't. Thought I did everything right and never was really told otherwise. Always get blind-sided->I was always the one wanting to stay together]]
"Understandable, but we need to dig deeper, $name"
"Can you think of any area where you weren't always on the same page with a girlfriend or partner?", she asks.
"Maybe you were //too// accommodating, for example? Gave in too much?"
[img[$domainpath + "18.png"]]
[[Maybe]]
[[I don't think that's it]]
[[True, but maybe more on the physical side of things]]"Okay, but how so?"
[img[$domainpath + "19.png"]]
[[In the sense of that the roles sometimes felt reversed from a traditional male/female relationship]]"Fair enough -- but then what is it?"
[img[$domainpath + "19.png"]]
[[Maybe my partner wanted a more traditional relationship?->In the sense of that the roles sometimes felt reversed from a traditional male/female relationship]]"Intriguing..", Kim says, tapping her foot. "Physical in what way?"
"I understand if you're hesitant, but sharing more detail can help my analysis"
[img[$domainpath + "19.png"]]
[[In the sense of that the roles sometimes felt reversed from a traditional male/female relationship]]"$name, when you say 'traditional'.. You refer to relationships where the man is the decision maker -- the stronger, dominant role in the relationship?"
"You felt that your partner was taking on more of this role than you were?"
[img[$domainpath + "20.png"]]
[[Right]]
[[Basically, you've got it->Right]]"What interactions did you have that made you feel this way?", Kim asks.
Suddenly, there's a knock on her door.
"Oh, shoot", Kim blurts out. "I'm sorry, but I have another appointment. We'll have to continue this in the next session"
"Hold onto that thought though! We were doing well!", she adds.
[img[$domainpath + "21.png"]]
[[Okay, thank you Kim]]
[[That's all? There must be something you can advise for now?]]"Thanks for coming in $name, I'll see you next week", Kim says as she waves goodbye for now.
[img[$domainpath + "23.png"]]
[[Try again->Intro]]
<a href="http://www.scissored.net/stories">Back to Stories</a>"I'm pretty confident that we were just about to delve into the main area that I could help you the most with", Kim says. "But I can't do that until I've actually heard what you have to say".
"However, there is one thing I can suggest to you", she explains.
"This process is more about mental fitness, but I'd encourage you to look into physical fitness outside these walls", Kim says.
"I'm a firm believer that the mind and body go hand-in-hand and I've seen how physical fitness can truly make someone happier", she continues. "I have a feeling it can do the same for you"
[img[$domainpath + "22.png"]]
[[Alright, thanks]]
[[Ok let's discuss more next time->Alright, thanks]]"Thanks $name, have a good day", Kim says as she waves goodbye for now.
[img[$domainpath + "23.png"]]
[[Try again->Intro]]
<a href="http://www.scissored.net/stories">Back to Stories</a>