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Janet Zinn

Janet Zinn is a successful psychotherapist in private practice in New York City. Janet was a mental health, first-responder post 9/11, and more recently, in the global Covid-19 pandemic. She is an expert in trauma and loss. She has worked as a consultant for Fortune 100 companies, and has spoken locally and internationally on getting through traumatic events. Janet incorporates mindfulness, creativity, humor and enduring compassion in her work. She maintains a weekly blog in getting through difficult times and related topics.

Ennui, Week 48 in the Time of Coronavirus

Feb 07, 2021 by Janet Zinn

Again and again I hear from others, “I’m so over this.” Of course, this refers to the pandemic and its related restrictions. Yes, we need to lessen the spread of Covid-19, yet that doesn’t mean we’re happy about what’s required. Now, even with the spotty vaccine rollout, we are expected to buckle down more so with the presence of new strains, which, in turn, places new stressors on us. With added stressors any energy we have burns quicker. We are exhausted and might feel resentment, anger or woe. This is what has happened in the daily grind without proper reprieves.

I am certainly dragging my feet. Whether it’s writing this blog or cooking a meal, I lack whatever eagerness I had in past years. I have no...

Pandemic Envy, Week 47 in the Time of Coronavirus

Jan 31, 2021 by Janet Zinn

Pandemic Envy, Week 47 in the Time of Coronavirus

We have become accustomed to the average pandemic envy like seeing those who prepare feasts as a way to get through this time of Coronavirus. Many of us have felt jealousy for acquaintances in larger homes. The more exhausted have longed for the energy cited in posts of new hobbies or accomplishments. Some parents envy those with no children, or those with safe help for their families. A number of people who feel alone have been envious of those who post happy couple or family portraits. Individuals who feel trapped with their families begrudge others who they imagine live blissfully alone. Now add to that the newer vaccine envy.

Without distractions I’m able to feel my emotions strongly. Sometimes this...

You Never Know, Week 46 in the Time of Coronavirus

Jan 24, 2021 by Janet Zinn

Sometimes I find myself quick to judge. I hear a whiny individual at a Zoom meeting, and I silently groan. I also know that there have been times, and I chance to say there are still times, in which I am the one who warrants another’s groan. In my more open-minded moments, I remember that everyone is trying the best they can. We are all going through this pandemic, and there’s nothing easy about that. But there are other times when my exhaustion and impatience take over and I am unforgiving of anyone who annoys me from the selfishly maskless to virtual-meeting squeaky wheels.

Something I’ve noticed recently in my professional and personal life is how instantaneously we are to jump from one emotional state to...

What We Don't Know, Week 45 in the Time of Coronavirus

Jan 17, 2021 by Janet Zinn

I have to admit that I wasn’t sure that the judge I watched numerous times on Law and Order was Fran Lebowitz. It looked like her, but was she a doppelganger, or was she, in fact, the writer? After watching “Pretend it’s a City,” Martin Scorsese’s excellent (in my opinion) docu-series of Fran Lebowitz, I was happy to learn that, yes, it was her as Judge Janice Goldberg in the original Law & Order.

The short series on Netflix was a delightful, laughter-filled escape from current events this past week. I learned a lot, evaluated my own thinking, and admired FL’s ability to speak her personal truths, thoughts I often have, but don’t share aloud. Somehow the cable show also had me pondering on the...

Boy, Oh, Boy, Week 44 in the Time of Coronavirus

Jan 10, 2021 by Janet Zinn

Yesterday I hit the wall. Before I lost all steam, I had lofty plans. I had research to do. There is always cleaning and organizing. I was behind on my writing. Yet, by the time I was three fourths of the way through a walk in Central Park, I felt as if I was dragging my leaden legs on the southern arc of the Reservoir. When I finally reached home, I couldn’t get my sweats on fast enough. Then Lucy had to go out. I love her, and also dearly wished there was someone else who would have taken her out. I was able to speak with a friend from the other coast, and that gave me a pleasurable energy shot. Though life in California is as fraught as it...