Psychotherapist Esther Perel has a wonderful podcast called Where Should We Begin that allows listeners to hear anonymous counselling sessions. In one episode she mentioned was that there are two groups of people. Those who believe there is always someone to help them and those who believe, in the end, you are always alone. There are lessons in both mindsets. One can teach how to be strong and independent and the other can teach how to lean in and embrace support. We can all learn from each other.
Do we feel we can always count on a good friend, partner, family member or neighbour to help us? Or do we feel we have to work it out ourselves because no one can really understand what we’re going through?
Whatever camp you sit in, you can pull points from the other side. Esther says, “If you want to change the other, change yourself.” That is a decision that rests with us alone.
What can we do this week to stretch outside our comfort zone? To change the lens we are looking through and strengthen our connections with those around us? Esther says, “The quality of your life ultimately depends on the quality of your relationships.” So this too is a form of self-care. How can we support those bridges that will help us travel on the journey of a lifetime?