Let’s face it, we all require therapy at some point in order to gain some perspective and better understand ourselves as well as others. therapy lessons
A Reddit user asked people about the best thing they have learned or heard from therapy recently on the platform, and the responses were absolutely priceless. It could prove useful to you if you are looking for motivation or guidance in dealing with a particular situation or just life in general.
Here are some of the finest responses we came across:
1) “When you place unexpressed expectations on someone, you are the one setting yourself up to feel let down.” therapy
2) “My therapist taught me about the ‘oxygen mask concept.’ Basically, you have to put on your own mask first by improving your mental health and doing what’s best for you before you can assist others with their lives. This really made me take a step back from getting involved in other people’s problems because they wouldn’t benefit me or my mental health.”
3) “We all have our baggage in some way, and it’s not worth beating yourself up thinking that you are some kind of monster. Accepting this was huge for me.”
4) “The human brain isn’t designed to keep us happy. It’s designed to keep us alive.” therapy lessons
5) “You can watch people on their rollercoasters, but you don’t have to ride it with them. This applies to all kinds of people and relationships that are making your life dramatically. My therapist told me this 10 years ago, and I still think about it all the time. It really helps put things in perspective.”
6) “Whenever I started talking about myself negatively, I was told to pretend that I am talking to my wonderful and sweet 5-year-old boy. I could never say the things I say to myself to my son. My therapist told me to envision someone telling my boy what I say to myself and how I would react. It was eye-opening to see how we are our own worst enemies.” therapy lessons
7) “Give yourself permission to grieve. Not just for the loss of loved ones, but for anything that makes you feel sad.”
8) “I don’t have to try to attack every negative feeling. Sometimes, it’s okay to just be like, ‘Oh, hey sadness, I see ya,’ or ‘Alright, panic, run your course while I finish doing what I’m doing.’ Acceptance therapy was the most powerful thing I ever did.”
9) “My psychologist told me that learning new skills and knowledge or establishing a new habit creates new neural pathways in your brain…
It’s like hacking your way through a jungle; it takes a lot of time, effort, and energy to reach your destination (or achieve your goal). But every time you practice that skill or follow that habit, you reinforce that neural pathway. As it’s reinforced, it becomes easier to fire up those neurons again, making it easier to do the act or behavior. The jungle is still dense, but it becomes easier to follow the same path that you created yesterday, and every time you take that path, it becomes a little clear. Eventually, the behavior may become so automatic that it requires no effort at all. This analogy has helped me quit smoking, study for exams, and establish a walking routine when I was too depressed to move.“ therapy lessons
