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jennifer lee kesler's avatar

This post resonated deeply with me. Thank you for sharing. I have had so much therapy and self-help advice that I also over-analyze how I am navigating some very difficult times.. instead of just allowing my self to be present in it, no matter how messy it may be. I'm learning to act AS IS instead of AS IF.

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Sam Rueter's avatar

Right there with you sister 🤍 you are not a broken machine that needs fixing. You are worthy of just being you x

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Hallie Rose Taylor's avatar

I feel that self-help books also "ruined my life" (though currently, I like my life)—but in a slightly different way. I feel my relationship with them directly destroyed several of my adult romantic relationships, which delayed me being able to do things like starting a family to a *nearly* catastrophic degree. It was so easy to misunderstand things like boundaries and attachment, and to focus on only a certain swath of what relationships entail while ignoring the rest—often ignoring the things that most help them to thrive.

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Nora's avatar

Thank you for showing how counter-intuitive these great self-help books can be. It's great to be aware of the energy we create, but that doesn't mean we should enter the rabbit-hole of guilt and self-doubt. Great read ♡

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

I’ve been holding onto compassionate meditation and body-based practices like a life-line this year. I grew up fundamentalist and have a strong aversion to anything that claims absolutely certainty - even in non religious spaces spiritual bypassing is rampant. It makes it very hard to find safe communities, and makes me really fun at parties 😆

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Elayne Smith's avatar

Brilliant. I have struggled with the very same concept, so you putting it into words was a gift. Lifting you up in your journey and so grateful for your willingness and skill at fleshing it out in writing and art. You inspire me!

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