Finding Strength in Sharing
It's not only when we're wrong that we find it difficult to admit it. The same applies when we exhibit weakness in some way. Or rather, what we've come to believe is 'weakness'.
That's why it took so long for me to seek help when I was going through the most challenging time of my life. I thought it was a sign of weakness – a failure, a loser.
When I finally came to my senses and got the help I needed, you might think that kind of foolish reasoning was finally gone, right? Nope, not at all!
Two weeks into treatment, I called my doctor and explained that I'd figured out how to fix this on my own. Of course, he strongly advised against it but said it was ultimately my decision.
After the call, I started thinking...
"Why do I even want to do this on my own? It's because I think therapy is a sign of weakness and medication is cheating. So damn stupid! I've tried EVERYTHING on my own, but always fall back into the darkness. I need help!"
That's almost word for word what I thought, and I've managed to carry that insight with me ever since. I'm incredibly grateful for the care I received, and I don't find it difficult to share what I've been through — something that would have been absolutely impossible in the past.
I know and understand that many people find it difficult and "embarrassing" to talk about it. But when I became open about it - which was hard to avoid considering I was on full-time sick leave for several months - something unexpected and fantastic happened. Others in my circle opened up and told me they'd been through similar things:
- "I've never told anyone about this before, but..."
- "Thank you for being open about it. A couple of years ago, I..."
- "It feels so good to be able to talk openly about it with a friend..."
People very close to me who had never said a word about it suddenly shared their innermost secrets. So beautiful and rewarding! Thank you all for sharing, and thank you for listening when I need to get things off my chest.
If shared joy is a double joy, then shared challenges is double strength.