We had the good fortune of connecting with Maggie Malone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maggie, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“People are just people like you.” – Regina Spektor, “Ghost of Corporate Future”

It may come as a surprise that I have social anxiety. I’ve chosen to make my career out of speaking with people, yet dread, fear, and a perpetually unsettled stomach have been constant companions for much of my life. Social Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by excessive fear and worry of interacting with others. It can be paralyzing and make even the most simple of interactions seem like impossible, terrifying feats.

In high school, one way I sought relief from stress and anxiety was to go outside and swing on the back porch while listening to my iPod. During one of the evening swing sessions, I remember listening to Regina Spektor’s “Ghost of Corporate Future” and hearing her sing “people are just people… people are just people like you.” Funny to say it now, but the lyrics felt like a revelation.

I’d heard some form of that sentiment before, but something about my own headspace in that moment and hearing it through music clicked. Some of the constant pressure in my chest eased, and from then on, when I became overwhelmed in any social situation, I’d play those lyrics over and over in my head. They didn’t miraculously cure my anxiety, but they did help me see beyond my fear-limited mindset and tap into my shared humanity.

A great deal of social anxiety’s power lies in its ability to make you feel isolated and different. Other people could be just as scared as I was, for all I knew. Being reminded that we all feel anxious, scared, and judged helped me feel less alone. It became easier and easier to push through my fear and to live the life I wanted, regardless of my social anxiety.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen how easily fear divides all of us and makes us think we are alone. We all have more in common than not, yet we get hung up on differences. And there fear goes again, isolating us and narrowing our mindsets.

So I hope that the next time you find yourself afraid, you can pause and remember that we all get scared. It’s part of being human and part of being alive. “People are just people like you.” And you can still choose to move forward when scared.

What should our readers know about your business?
I created Rosebud Psychotherapy in 2019, just before the pandemic, and I felt so excited and also completely out of my depth. Excited because I knew I would love what I would create, and out of my depth because there was so much I didn’t know. There is a huge learning curve with understanding how to create and run a business. In graduate school, we learn how to provide therapy, not how to run a business, to market ourselves, or to handle our finances. It took me some time to grasp the basics, but I finally feel like I am getting a grip on the ins and outs of solo practice.

In treatment centers, therapists and clients rarely choose with whom they work. Private practice held so much appeal because it meant that I’d finally get to connect with clients who specifically wanted to work with me. I knew I wanted to work with women and LGBTQIA+ folks, and initially I heavily relied on my specialty in substance use disorders to market myself. The challenge was to really learn my “niche”… well, the first challenge was to understand what the heck everyone meant when they kept saying “what’s your niche.” But through working with clients, I noticed I felt most alive working with women around moving through fear and anxiety and instead doing what is necessary to build a life that aligns with their values and desires. I love seeing my clients feel empowered and am always honored to be a part of their journey.

As a therapist, I hear about some of the most painful, darkest parts of being human, but I also see the awe-inspiring resilience, courage, and compassion we are all capable of. I am forever grateful to my clients, and I don’t think they know just how much they inspire and motivate me. It is a privilege to be brought into someone’s most intimate inner world and to walk with them as they heal and grow.

How do you know whether to keep going or to give up?
As a solo private practice owner, therapist, and human, I’ve faced moments where it’s been difficult to know whether to keep going or to give up. There isn’t always a clear answer which way to go, but if I’m in that situation, I take a step back and assess my situation. I ask myself whether I’m feeling burnt out or overwhelmed, whether I’m struggling to make ends meet, or whether I feel like my work isn’t making a meaningful impact. I also consult the people close to me to get their perspectives and insights.

If I’m feeling overwhelmed, I take time to care for myself and prioritize my mental health and wellbeing. Sometimes, that means taking a break, getting some fresh air, or spending time with friends and family. Other times, it means scaling back my workload, delegating tasks, or getting support from other therapists or business owners who have faced similar challenges.

I think it’s important to differentiate between “giving up” and being flexible or recognizing a need for change. In my work, my clients and I often assess their priorities and needs to help make the most informed decision. If their needs and priorities have shifted, that isn’t a failure; it’s being attuned to yourself and your environment and responding accordingly. It’s accepting that change is natural and unavoidable.

When I’ve encountered setbacks, I find it’s important to (try to) distinguish between temporary challenges and long-term struggles. I remind myself that it’s natural to face obstacles in any business, and that persistence, resilience, and utilizing my support system are pivotal to overcoming any challenges. I also find it helpful to listen to the stories of other therapists who have made similar journeys and how they have handled the challenges of running a private practice. It’s one reason why having regular consultation and community with other mental health professionals is so affirming and helpful.

Ultimately, the decision to keep going or to switch gears is personal, and depends on any person’s individual circumstances and goals. I know that it’s okay to change course if something isn’t working for me, and that both life and business require persistence, patience, and flexibility.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My top priority is always what we’ll eat, and Atlanta has SO many amazing restaurants. I usually use someone visiting as an excuse to try new places I’ve never been. That being said, I’d definitely be taking us out for Korean BBQ and bubble tea in Duluth. I love 678 with their charcoal grills, and then I always love Kung Fu Tea for tea.

Piedmont Park is mandatory with Varuni Napoli for lunch. We’d see what’s on at the Fox Theater or at Cobb Galleria, especially if there is a musical or dance performance. I live by Kennesaw Mountain, so we’d definitely take the pups and go for some hikes there, as well!

And finally, my friends and I spend a lot of time hanging out at home, playing board games, watching movies, eating, consuming large amounts of tea, and doing puzzles. We aren’t the most wild crowd! This question makes me realize that I need to get out more!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shout out and thank my family for their unwavering love and support and for always believing in me, even in the moments when I didn’t.

Website: www.rosebudpsychotherapy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosebud.psych/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosebudpsychotherapy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC25Ij4yUS4aNbKUpoSq95dA

Image Credits
Images by Morgan Alaina Photography

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