Acknowledge life’s 100% mortality rate not morbidly, but as an inspiration to be intentional about how you live each day, aligning your actions with your priorities and appreciating the gift of life.
Identify self-imposed limitations or perceived traps in your life and challenge yourself to ‘walk around the bars’ by taking responsibility for your choices and exploring alternative paths to freedom and happiness.
Invest in your emotional and mental health, recognizing it as a fundamental means to reduce personal suffering and improve overall quality of life, potentially more impactful than other forms of care.
Cultivate awareness and listen to your inner voice or intuition, as it often holds the answers to what you truly want and need, despite external pressures or noise.
Practice self-forgiveness for past mistakes and human imperfections, rather than imposing a ’life in prison’ or ‘death sentence’ on your own joy and potential for living fully.
Do not mistake insight alone for progress; actively translate self-understanding into behavioral changes and actions in your daily life to achieve meaningful improvement.
Recognize that maintaining change is the most crucial step, and setbacks are a normal, non-linear part of the process; don’t abandon your efforts if you ‘screw up,’ but rather return to your desired behavior.
Do not let ‘sunk costs’ or age deter you from pursuing a new path or passion; prioritize doing what you want to do with the time you have left, rather than sticking to a path out of obligation or past investment.
Do not minimize emotional discomfort or wait until it becomes a crisis; seek support or therapy early, just as you would for physical symptoms, to prevent unnecessary suffering and collateral damage.
Challenge your initial judgments of people and strive to understand their underlying experiences and motivations, as this can lead to deeper empathy and connection.
Practice stripping away pretense and performative aspects of your life to reveal your authentic self, fostering deeper, more invigorating connections and a clearer sense of how you want to manifest in the world.
When seeking therapy, prioritize finding a therapist with whom you can build a strong, trusting relationship, as this connection is the most crucial factor for successful outcomes.
When facing difficult relationships, examine your own role and responses, considering whether you need to be in that relationship and how your actions might contribute to its challenges.
Actively create safe spaces for men to express vulnerability and emotions without judgment, challenging societal norms that often shame them for doing so.
If you’re considering making a significant change, reflect on ‘why now?’ to identify the underlying motivation or strength that has finally prompted you to seek help or take action.
If someone you know seems depressed or you suspect suicidal thoughts, ask directly about suicide; it does not plant the idea but can provide relief and open a crucial conversation.
Actively apply the insights and strategies discussed in therapy or self-help to your daily life between sessions, treating it like ‘homework’ to reinforce learning and drive real-world change.
Seek out activities that provide tangible results and foster brief, genuine moments of connection with others, as these can bring significant joy and meaning to daily life.
Understand that modern therapy is primarily focused on the present and future, using past experiences only to understand current patterns, rather than dwelling on childhood indefinitely.
Recognize that humans are more similar than different and that growth occurs through connection with others, fostering empathy and understanding.
Examine and potentially revise the narratives you tell yourself about your life, as this can be a powerful way to initiate personal change and transformation.
Understand that therapy is a process of self-discovery and gaining clarity, not a source of instant answers or guaranteed timelines; the goal is to help you find your own solutions.
View your therapeutic relationship as a practice ground for improving your external relationships, as the dynamics and patterns within therapy often mirror those in your daily life.
Understand that significant personal transformations often involve numerous small, imperceptible steps before a sudden breakthrough, so persist with consistent effort even when progress seems slow.