We Need To Normalize Therapy | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

In 2020, I Hope We Finally Normalize Therapy

Therapy saves lives. It's nothing to be of ashamed of or hide.

553
In 2020, I Hope We Finally Normalize Therapy

It's almost the end of 2019, and I have been in therapy for 3 years. As someone who has been in therapy for this long, and has no plans of stopping anytime soon, I know firsthand how therapy can be life-saving.

If I'm being completely honest, if it wasn't for therapy, I wouldn't be here where I am today — or here at all.

And I know several people with similar experiences — who are in therapy for their mental health or to just have someone to talk to. So moving forward into 2020, I hope that therapy will continue to be normalized. It is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, I would argue quite the opposite. It takes strength to force yourself to deal with your issues, and perseverance to work through them.

But therapy's not just for those dealing with mental illness.

Therapy can also help you to work through problems in your life and can help you get a new perspective on your problems and anything that has been weighing on your mind.

Of course, if you are suffering from any form of mental illness therapy can be your saving grace. But even if you're not, therapy can still be incredibly helpful. Whatever problems you may be having in your life — whether they be relationship problems, work, school, family issues, or any other kind of personal issue. Sometimes, you don't even realize how much something was weighing on you until you get it off your chest.

Many people may have behaviors or thought patterns that they don't even realize are harming them and it only when you're in therapy are you forced to confront them. This was definitely the case for me.

All of us have things about ourselves we would rather ignore — whether it be childhood trauma or some negative personality trait that is harming us or others.

Therapy forces you to face yourself in a way nothing else can.

When it's just you and therapist for 45 minutes, with nothing between you but your thoughts, you are simply forced to acknowledge things you otherwise never would have. And when this happens, you can then grow because this thing that's been holding you back has now been dealt with.

I know that personally, I have been forced to acknowledge the ways in which I hurt my relationships with others. In my case, I have discovered that I have a bad habit of projecting onto other people. Basically, what this means is that I had some personal insecurity that I wasn't aware of, so instead, it changed how I thought other people would perceive me. For example, I might have assumed that someone had a negative perception of me, even though that wasn't the case at all. The only reason I thought that was because I negative perception of myself- and because of this I assumed they must have, too.

This is an oversimplified version of my own story, but you get the idea.

Over the past year or so, I've seen more people discussing their mental health and therapy and social media, which is definitely a step in the direction. Once we see that other people are experiencing similar, it makes us feel less alone. But it's important to not only share your experiences but to get therapy if it's something you need. Trust me, it makes a world of difference.

Report this Content
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179671
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6778
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452163
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23112
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments