Priorities: Therapy and Times of Turmoil

For many, the current times are tumultuous and dark. Across the world we experience tragedy, whether first hand or being third party. For many this feels to be an insurmountable experience that may only get worse as time marches forward. Yet, life continues and so must we. Life must be something we choose, everyday, so that we can be an active participant. So how do we face these times of turmoil and prioritize ourselves during it all?

For those who can access it, which in the USA, let alone NYC, difficult. The answer can be therapy. People often misunderstand the point of therapy, often ascribing it to those who have mental illness. Yet, therapy is a tool in medicine that is for so much more. Much like daily exercise, one would assume that we too have to exercise our minds. And with that, we need check ups and maintenance as any other part of our body needs it. For some, this can be weekly therapy, monthly, etc.

Benefits of this care go beyond words to something deeply existential. The very concept of metacognition, the ability to think of one’s own thinking, shows that we as humans have the ability to not just confront others, but actively confront ourselves. And as we confront others as the world devolves into turmoil, we too must confront ourselves. For searching for answers with no introspection is a fallacy of ego. When darkness envelopes us we should not first prioritize changing others, but instead look for change within ourselves.

My personal belief as a mental health therapist and client myself is that the world is a hard place. When things become too hard we must seek change. For things to change we must begin with ourselves, but that is clearly a difficult thing to come to alone. So in this new, tumultuous year, why not try change? Why not try something new? Find a therapist, do some yoga, get into word working, follow a passion. Because if the world is a changing, we too must change. For our own sake and sanity.