"Change only happens when the pain of holding on is greater than the fear of letting go." -Unknown
Let's be honest: life is not easy. While many of us get through tough times, we all, at some point, reach a place when we need a little help. Sometimes that help comes in the form of a helping hand, a loving friend, or a concerned family member. Sometimes the help we need is a listening ear or a steady shoulder; sometimes we need kind words and encouragement, sometimes we need hard, but true, words spoken in our lives to motivate change.
Let's be honest: life is not easy. While many of us get through tough times, we all, at some point, reach a place when we need a little help. Sometimes that help comes in the form of a helping hand, a loving friend, or a concerned family member. Sometimes the help we need is a listening ear or a steady shoulder; sometimes we need kind words and encouragement, sometimes we need hard, but true, words spoken in our lives to motivate change.
Even though many of us go through these tough times, not every one has the tools and support network to get through it. And sometimes, even if we do have that network, it's not enough- we need something more.
That's where counseling comes in.
Counseling is a great way to start exploring this moments in life that leave you questioning, hurting, or wondering where to go next. A successful therapeutic relationship can provide a safe and comfortable place for someone to explore what comes next- what to do- and how to do it. Sometimes it's just the push we need to get back on track when other things in life just aren't working.
I know the common objections that come up when someone thinks about counseling:
"It's too expensive"
"It's not really that big of a deal, I can handle it"
"I'm not crazy, I don't need counseling!"
"It worked for my friend, sure, but I don't think it will work for me"
"How is an hour of talking to a stranger going to help?"
"I know what I need to do, I just need the motivation..."
These are all common thoughts! In the same way that life isn't easy for all of us, it's also hard for each of us to reach out and ask for help. Especially when help comes with a price tag, time investment, and a call for emotional vulnerability- we are all going to put up a little resistance.
And let's face it: change is tough and scary. Many times, even though our life is hard, we know it could be worse, so we put up with the pain. We endure the suffering. We compare ourselves to those who have it worse off, and come out on top. These great qualities of perseverance are part of what make us, as humans, amazingly intricate and advanced; they are also what keep us stuck in painful places. In other words, sometimes our best asset can be our worst enemy.
If you're hurting, or just looking for a place to mentally rest, don't dismiss counseling. Remember, counselors are the same as you: human! They have had pain, and they have struggled. And, they want to help you! They know how tough (and brave) it is to come to begin counseling, and will walk you through the process. If you're worried about time and money, many counselors offer flexible schedules and payment structures to help ease that burden. Many also offer a free consultation, in person or on the phone, to help make it as comfortable as possible for you.
So take a chance with change- what do you have to lose?
