Sometimes, when I see clients in my private practice, I hear a quiet, or at times very loud, plea to have things get better quickly.  I can honestly say, through first hand experience, that enduring pain, suffering, grief, loss, distress and discomfort can feel unbearable.  The desire to stop these emotions, at any cost, may lead people to self-medicate with drugs, alcohol or other addictive and abusive practices.

For some clients, symptom relief while in therapy may come quickly, while for others respite may take a lot longer.  There are a multitude of unique variables, as unique as each human being, to the trajectory of each client’s journey.  An attempt to rush through the process will leave the frays of your distress along the recovery trail.  These reminders may not affect you now, but if left along the path, the angst may creep up again later on.

Emotional or psychological discomfort can feel like a massive weight or pain in one’s shoulders, chest or body.  It may feel as though you are walking in a deep, thick fog. You or a loved one may feel that seeking out care, reaching out for an empathic ear and accepting where you are at, at this moment in time, is futile.  I urge you to believe me when I say it is not futile.  In this fast-paced world, we are programmed to expect results instantaneously.  Thus, when we encounter an emotional or psychological challenge, something that does not respond immediately to our attempt at reconciling it, the distress deepens and its roots take hold.

By accommodating the deepest of our discomfort, giving it room to be, as it is within us, we may actually be allowing it to pass.  At first, you may find that the most you can handle is a minute-by-minute approach.  So be it.  Reach out for an empathic ear.  Whether it be a family member, friend, spiritual or religious advisor or a therapist, just make sure you give yourself the gift of time, and the support that you need, as you live through the process.

Take the time to allow the emotions to flow through you.  Believe that this time in your life will pass, as long as you are willing to give it the time to run its course.  What comes out of the struggle has yet to be decided.  Allowing yourself the time to let go of the pain, sorrow, grief or loss is essential; it is essential if you want to continue growing and developing who you are meant to be.