Your Reality Is Valid
“Well things in my life are pretty bad right now, but others have it way worse, so I shouldn’t be too upset about it.” Sound familiar?
How about, “Yeah, it really hurt me, but one of my friends has had to go through it way more than me, so I shouldn’t be too mad, right?” Well, not necessarily…
Others may seem to have bigger problems and bigger issues in their lives; this does not make whatever happened to you any less painful or real. It is your reality and your reality is valid. Do not diminish what you are going through just because you know people have gone through things that may seem worse to you. This belief does not serve you in any way. In fact, it can actually harm you. By invalidating your emotions, you begin to minimize what you are actually feeling.
Sometimes we minimize our feelings because we are afraid that others will respond with, “Yeah? Well this happened to me and that’s way worse.” We need to stop comparing our issues with others. Everyone’s experience through life is unique and the way we handle each situation thrown at us is equally unique. Sometimes it just helps to know that while other’s problems may seem bigger than our own, the way you’re feeling is not something that you should just ignore or push down. Your reality is valid. While the issues at hand may not seem to be equal in scope to you, everyone’s reality is valid, no justification necessary.
Hannah Bruins,
Counseling Intern
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