“When does it stop hurting?” I’m often asked this question as a therapist.
Emotional pain can be unbearable at times. For many of us, it is easier to block out the thoughts and feelings we don’t want to feel. However, the more we avoid pain, the more we internalize our suffering.
Maybe you’re experiencing grief from losing a loved one, or the heartache of a breakup. Perhaps you’re overcome by the anger of being betrayed by a loved one who you thought would never hurt you.
There isn’t a sure-fire way to avoid or fast forward through the hurt and emotional pain of this magnitude.
Truthfully, it’s going to hurt for a while.
Putting a timeline on feeling better typically only causes more shame and guilt for “still” hurting.
It takes as long as it takes.
Emotional pain can sometimes be too intense to work through alone. Working with a therapist can help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, and emotions and allow you to work through pain.
Healing involves finding your new normal and doing your best to navigate it.
Shout out to my friends who are dealing with the pain when you’re sobbing in the shower, struggling to pick your head up off the pillow and start your day or desperately trying to hold yourself together so no one notices your struggle.
I see you.
