 I almost didn’t write this blog. Not just this post, but a blog altogether. Why’s that? It’s because I’m profoundly skeptical about much of the therapy and mental health truisms we can find on the internet. Much of it is too generic to be helpful. Don’t get me wrong; I believe that, as human beings, we share a lot in common. And there’s definitely a value to looking for guidance and wisdom from others. After all, I’ve found in my work that it’s often the things we feel most alone in experiencing that are the most universal feelings. But I also know that most of us would love to find answers that exist outside of ourselves, and when we go looking for that – the correct answer given to us by a guru on top of a mountain – we discover that generic advice isn’t particularly helpful. Either it is so broad that we feel, “I already knew that,” or it doesn’t seem to apply to our lives at all. I’ve had several clients say to me that they read something from a social media therapist or other influencer that directly contradicted their own experiences of what was helpful to them. There’s a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip in which Calvin says, “I think grown-ups just act like they know what they’re doing.” In some ways, we are all looking around, hoping to find a more grown up grown-up who can point us on the right path. Yet, in order for us to find the next step that is right for us personally, only we truly hold the answers. I believe that we have the ability to be self-directed, utilizing our own inner wisdom to help us achieve goals that align with our own unique values. As a counselor, I love working one on one with people because I have found that together, we can identify what is true for each person. So why make this blog, when the words I write can’t possibly apply to everyone? While I would love to be able to work one on one with every person who would find it helpful, I simply don’t have the time, energy, or emotional stamina for that! So I hope that this blog can serve as a starting point for your own self-directed growth process, providing reflections on how to respond to common barriers to growth, as well as support for finding meaning and purpose. If you are working with me or another therapist, I hope you will recognize that – while we have expertise in mental health – only you are the true expert on your life. We do not have all the answers, but we are here to walk with you and explore your questions together. Categories All AuthorKami Sidman Comments are closed.
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