Dear reader, let's talk about you for a minute. Yes, you. How have you been doing? If you’ve been feeling slightly off or just low in general, take some time out to read this. Because honestly, in an effort to shine light on therapy, I wanted to break the sizable stigma that’s still unfortunately attached to seeing a therapist or seeking help. While I continue to be an advocate for this method in my own little way, I thankfully have Beauty Book by my side for a stronger readership, to reach you — hoping you’d resonate with my words. For starters, it’s okay. It’s okay to not want to get out of bed. It’s okay to experience a mini anxiety attack right before a virtual work meeting. It’s okay to cry in your room for no apparent reason. It’s okay if you allowed a single negative comment to define your day. It’s okay to not feel okay. Most importantly, it’s okay to talk about it.
The acknowledgement that an individual mind’s is affected by stress is missing these days (because we’re so busy trying to get through another day). Addressing unresolved issues, traumas or insecurities that you have held close to your heart for years to a professional releases a power within. Being an ardent believer of therapy, I’m here to let you know that talking is not a sign of weakness, instead a sign of immense strength. To convince you just a little, I have jotted down a few points with a sprinkle of anecdotes that will hopefully give you a clearer picture on why it’s critical for us to move to a culture of understanding and accepting this method. I tried it. The aftermath? Liberating.
Why Therapy Is Important
1. Sorry But Your Friend Is Not Your Therapist
Yes, your friend is your confidante. But you must consider that most often they carry their own set of baggage and traumas too. Even with the best intentions, they can help you to a certain extent but you need to remember that they’re not trained medical professionals. Allowing them to absorb all that stress and expecting them to play the role is neither fair to you nor them. A therapist on the other hand is professionally trained to study your underlying emotions, peel the layers and help you discover your path to recovery without being biased. When I adopted this method, it changed my life. My therapist helped me identify the issues that were really worth my time and what really isn’t.
2. It Might Not Just Be A ‘Bad Day’
It’s absolutely normal to have a bad day. But it’s important to identify if there’s something more to it. If you’re feeling constantly exhausted, not sleeping too well, if there’s a change in your appetite (which could be emotional eating) or something as miniscule as not being able to enjoy doing the things that once always brought you joy, don't’ let this slide. Just letting you know that I have felt all of the above. While all these factors can easily be glossed over as a bad day, it might also be root signs of anxiety or initial stages of depression. Which is okay. You rather tackle this in its formative phase. Seeking help can solve this for you at a much earlier stage. Don’t wait.
3. If You’re Single, Read this. If You’re Not Single, Still Read This
Attention couples. If you’re having trouble in paradise, just pressing pause for a second and listening to one another can change the whole game around. Singletons looking for a solid companionship, same goes for you. The foundation of a strong relationship lies in truly listening and allowing your significant other to speak. So simple, yet powerful. To master this, it starts from you. If you’re collected from within, you’ll find yourself not fighting to speak or to prove your point (or worth). From personal experience, therapy helped me understand this better. I might still be single (and proud), but I don’t fear being alone anymore. This process has helped me to listen rather than to constantly validate and I continue to work on myself till the right person walks into my life. We attract our own energy. I started loving myself a little more to be honest (shout out to Anand, my brilliant therapist!). It works ladies. It actually works.
4. Therapy Is Finally Affordable Now
For the longest time, money and therapy have always had a weird marriage —making it an expensive affair driving clients away post their first session. Not anymore. The conscious uncoupling of the two have recently paved the path for people to actually afford a good two hour telephonic session, without having to worry about money. There is a tight section of therapists in India that have sliced their rates to half (which got me to book a session right off the bat). I started March last year and it’s helped me a great deal to connect with myself. Also, don’t expect therapy to work wonders on day 1. It takes commitment, patience and dedication. Here’s a list of verified therapists in case you decide to give it a shot. *will insert contacts here*
5. The Three Golden Words. Use Them.
Sorry. Please. Thank You. While these three words hold an undeniable power, they’re most often the ones that don't come easy to most. What therapy does is that it helps deal with what I call a ‘useless downer’ AKA ego. Life is better without. Ego is actually built during your formative years as a child, all the way to your adulthood. It can lead to highly mistaken perceptions about yourself and others. Imagine the amount of time and energy you waste, for—well, nothing. Therapy helped me reconnect with myself, address deeper incidences that allowed me to work on this area that made me who I am today. I now embrace the three golden words with grace and context. If you or anyone you know needs to hear this, remember this. It wasn’t easy. It never was. But I got here and therapy had a huge role to play. Here’s the takeaway. With a smile on my face I conclude, therapy helped me believe that there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel. If it all seems dark and cloudy for you right now, that alright. You’ll get through it. And when you do, don’t forget to soak in all that gorgeous light filled with a sense of self and clarity. Brighter days ahead, my friend. Brighter days ahead.
