Not all of us can go to therapy. For whatever reason. And that’s okay.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to have access to the support and lessons that can be learned from it.
Thankfully, the people of Twitter are absolute gems and have offered some of the pearls of wisdom they have been given. These are some of our faves:
I told my therapist, after several weeks of anxiety reduction, that maybe I’m someone who never will be “happy”. And she told me that happy people aren’t continuously happy. Happy people just experience less anxious and depressed days, and that definition helped me reach “happy”.
— Jess Ondras (@JessOndras) November 25, 2019
Avoid saying “should”. It’s too easy to fall into pressuring yourself and pushing yourself too much. Reframe and rephrase.
“I should exercise” ➡️ “I like how I feel after exercise”, “I should do laundry” ➡️ “I want clean clothes”
— 🦋 Katie 🦋 (@kappatau314) November 25, 2019
Don’t beat yourself up for not knowing things that you hadn’t learned yet. (@heyyoukid415)
When meeting new people, don’t think about it as trying to get them to like you- think about it as trying to see if you like them / if you get along with them. Rather than focusing on what they must be thinking about you, focus on what you think about them. Changed my life.
— Sailor Nichols 💖💜💙 (@sailboatsail) November 25, 2019
Every time you resist feeling an emotion it goes down to the basement to lift weights. (@gskraz)
That everyone needs a coping mechanism. There are bad ones( drinking, drugs, violence) and good ones (excercise, meditation, therapy). Pick a good one so you can avoid the bad ones, bc we all have things we needs to cope with.
— DemoChrissy (@DemoChrissy) November 25, 2019
Frame your points in “I feel” statements
When u say “I feel that this action was inconsiderate” the other person can’t say that you *don’t* feel that way
Then they’re not as likely to go on the defense as they might with a statement like “You were inconsiderate”
— Dominic Mendez (@domendezz) November 25, 2019
Thoughts aren’t facts. (@carrioakee)
This! My therapist told me:
“You can be your own witness.”
It completely blew my mind, I was so used to thinking that my word about a negative experience wasn’t good enough, that I needed witnesses to it in order to make it something I was allowed to be hurt by.— ⛈️🍂Eleanor🦊Parker🍂⛈️ (@EleanorParker24) November 25, 2019
Anxiety stemming from past trauma is reduced significantly if you reconnect yourself with the present when it hits. Things like attention to breathing, sharp flavors (apple Jolly Ranchers), and hot spicy tea help me.
— knit to forget 🏳️🌈🇺🇸🍑 (@got1eyeopen) November 25, 2019
The brain is like a wheat field. Old pathways are worn and easy to tread. You haev to choose a new path again and again before it becomes an easier one to walk. (@CatherineLynneW)
Big take away- Pay attn to your inner-child. When you feel yourself overreacting or getting triggered, she’s usually the source. Check in with her, ask her what she needs without judgement, give it to her, parent her, physically love on her and then send her off to play.
— LespwaFeViv (@lespwafeviv) November 25, 2019
The best thing a therapist ever told me is that society doesn’t need to be the one to set me schedule. I’m allowed to eat breakfast at 11, go to bed at 1am. There’s no correct mold to fit, just find whatever works best for me.
— 🤔 (@_sputnik1) November 25, 2019
Someone’s very best effort at loving you still may not be the thing that you need. it doesn’t mean they’re not trying hard enough, or don’t love you enough. It means that’s all they’re capable of doing. And you have to decide if that’s what you’re willing to live with.
— K J (@kjones912) November 25, 2019
Anxiety stemming from past trauma is reduced significantly if you reconnect yourself with the present when it hits. Things like attention to breathing, sharp flavors (apple Jolly Ranchers), and hot spicy tea help me.
— knit to forget 🏳️🌈🇺🇸🍑 (@got1eyeopen) November 25, 2019
And, for those who do go to therapy (or if you ever go), something to take with you…
you should tell your therapist when a technique they’re trying doesn’t do anything for you instead of playing along so you don’t hurt their feelings. https://t.co/Rxx7uNtfVN
— hannah moskowitz (buy SICK KIDS IN LOVE!) (@hannahmosk) November 25, 2019
And if you want more absolutely brilliant and eye-opening, mind-blowing but also ‘DUH’ advice, follow Caroline Moss’ Twitter thread.
Mind you, these Tweets are no substitute for the advice and support that an accreddited, registeres mental health professional can provide. If you are in need of support, all you need to do is reach out, and there are plenty of services available to you, like Headspace, Beyond Blue, and Reach Out, to name a few.
Image Sources: Twitter
