Let’s agree on some things first:
These are some truths I want anyone on their personal growth journey to accept when making choices for their future.
Fear is not always a good reason not to do something.
Sometimes we miss out on life experiences because we are scared to get uncomfortable. There are times anxiety can serve us in a positive way (i.e I’m afraid of doing a bad job on a presentation so I prepare weeks ahead of time.) It’s a journey to process how our fears or worries are serving us.. Confronting and analyzing our anxieties is the only way to do that and to find out what is on the other side of that fear.
Being kind to yourself is necessary
We all make mistakes. It’s human and it’s the only way we learn. Most of us (other than the David Goggins type of learner) do not respond well to ridicule and suffering. Constantly putting yourself down will get you nowhere, so why bother. Remind yourself of the good first as often as you can. And most importantly giving yourself credit that you’re here, ready to put that time, energy, and work into yourself.
Being wrong is an opportunity to learn something new
This is one of my favorites. Whether it be presidents of countries or your own parents, people get things wrong. Making mistakes, in my opinion, is the best way to learn something new when you’re intentional about it. Artificial intelligence even gets it wrong sometimes. Just like us, they have to take in the mistake, see how it happened, and adjust accordingly. Only we have to be our own programmers. Taking in new information and changing your thinking as a result allows for personal growth.
Your past does not have to define you
We can always grow, and we can always change. This sentence will mean different things to different people but it’s true. You get to choose who you are and what your future looks like. We don’t work this hard to stay the same.
Let’s play a game: False or False
“Therapy is Easy”
False. Therapy in general is very difficult. I expect my clients to put in hard work during and between sessions because they know the end result is worth while. You will have to get uncomfortable and vulnerable but in a safe space that is created to foster personal growth and finding new ways to cope. I will push my clients to take a greater sense of responsibility and create a stronger sense of self to aid in working towards change in their lives.
“I take medication, I don’t need therapy”
False. Medication can be an important part of someone’s path to good mental health and mental ease but it is not a replacement for therapy. In a good balance, medication will often treat symptoms which allows therapy to work on the root of the problem.
“Only crazy people need therapy”
False. Therapy is the right choice for anyone who feels like they need help in reaching their goals and/or working towards positive change in their life. For some, half the battle is the acceptance of help. Therapy can help with self-esteem, decision-making skills, time management, gaining insight, self motivation, and so much more that can be unrelated to a clinical diagnosis.