We all experience problems in our lives; maybe in our relationships, working life, with confidence or emotional well-being. Sometimes we can work through these challenges by ourselves – but very often, struggling on alone means we can end up exhausted, going round in circles, never truly resolving the issue at all. This is because it takes professional expertise and tools to overcome these problems. So what are the signs that it’s time to seek help from a professional such as a counsellor, therapist or coach?
If The Same Problems Keep Arising Across Different Situations.
If you become aware that the same issues keep coming up for you, regardless of the relationships you have, where you live or the work you do - then it’s time to seek help.
It’s easy to attribute experiences to other people or situations – for example
- I always end up being taken for granted
- People are untrustworthy
- I always end up with a mean boss
- There are no jobs out there
- People let me down
However, if you keep having these same experiences it’s likely that they are more to do with your own limiting beliefs. These ways of viewing the world are often picked up in early childhood are buried deep in your subconscious. They have a huge impact on how you think and feel about yourself and others, and what you expect out of life and relationships.
People don’t come into therapy because they have a problem. They come into therapy because they’re stuck in a problem—either it won’t go away, or it does go for a while, but then re-presents itself further down the line.
(Taken from the book - Out Of Fear Into Love: Life doesn’t have to be a struggle
So if you become aware that you keep having the same unhappy experience no matter who you’re with or where you go – it’s time to seek help from someone who can help you uncover the roots of all that and let go of those pesky limiting beliefs once and for all. Then life becomes so much better!
If People Keep Telling You To Seek Help
Another sign that it’s time to seek help is when people keep telling you to! I know that sound simplified, but it’s often the case that we don’t want to face up to the problems in our lives – this is just human nature.
If someone, or more than one person, is suggesting you seek help– take heed. They’ve put themselves through some discomfort to suggest it – they obviously feel strongly about it and care enough about you to bring it up - so it’s worth paying attention to them.
If you don’t agree with them, it’s still worth seeking help. Having even one session with a professional will clarify things in your mind, once and for all and you may be surprised at the positive outcome.
If You’re Using Distraction Techniques
If you’re doing too much of anything – then you’re very likely distracting yourself. Whether that be overworking, using alcohol or drugs, gambling, shopping or any number of things.
If you are overdoing it in one area of life, its’s because another area feels unmanageable.
Side-tracking a problem means not having to face difficult emotions such as hurt and pain, possibly even anger. But that problem still exists - getting lost in addictive habits can be a way to try to soothe distress. Seeking help from a professional means you're no longer alone with that distress; someone who really knows how to help is there to help you journey through it, and come out the other side
Life Is A Journey Into Wisdom
We are evolving beings, living as part of an evolving universe. It is our purpose then, to seek out expansion; to learn and grow wiser as we go through life. In order to fulfil that purpose, we need to share and help each other using our own individual skills. Just as teachers help children learn their ABC, so professional counsellors, therapists and coaches are trained to help people work through the ABC’s of life.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a problem, it may well be time to seek help.