Off the hamster wheel

Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy delaying, deterring and derailing any form of progress when it comes to bettering ourselves. Blame lack of ‘self help’ on stubbornness, fear, angst or denial; it can very easily be a myriad of things. Regardless of what we may allow that personal obstacle to be, when it exists there is a present inability to take the necessary step to seek out the many resources that can often be a finger tips length away.

So many face daily challenges and wage battles against anxiety, depression, sadness, addiction, the shackles of our past, unhealthy relationships, etc. There’s a whole lot of heartbreak out there. But I have found myself recently exceedingly frustrated as a counselor with an ongoing trend with those I lend an ear to either personally or professionally. There is verbal acknowledgement with the issue at hand, often it is conveyed numerous times over the course of weeks or months, but there’s a firm resistance in going any further. The discontentment and host of emotions are clearly conveyed, but we come to a grinding halt in going any further than this.

As either friend or clinician I see the hamster in the wheel effect almost on a daily basis. There is a whole lot of running, exerting and chasing without any progress. They are stuck and emotions and circumstance can make the stopping or hopping off the wheel seem overwhelmingly frightening.  As humans, our present state cripples us and peering outside of the scope is petrifying. But, it is possible. At some point, we cannot be forced, but rather, choose to take that hand, make that phone call, fall on our knees, seek out that which is beyond what we can do for ourselves. Whether it’s depression, cutting, an addiction, anxiety, perpetual fears,  eating disorders or a million other things, there are options for help.

Help, self care, counseling, re-aligning, whatever we’re going with can begin personal re-alignment, but nothing happens overnight. Most of us aren’t patient and in a day and age of instant access to everything we also have a tendency to have a personal time frame of how long we give ‘help’ to work before we become frustrated. A lot of times, it can be a life long process. That’s not a bad thing, but rather a life focused on healing and realigning.

It can be hard sometimes to look ourselves in the mirror and like what we see. Life can be tough, rough and sometimes feel like we’re its personal punching bag. But help, encouragement and long-term resources are out there. It’s just taking that first, very scary, but very possible first step. Don’t allow fear to keep you fixed in a rut of life. You’re worth more than that and life is too fleeting to maintain rut status.

Every single one of us is unique. We have our own experiences and struggles. My hope is that when a hand is extended to us, a heart and ear is leant out, that although we may not be ready right then to take a step, we will keep it in the forefront of our minds and consider that maybe those chiding words from the counselor, friend, loved one or colleague might hold some merit to it. May the hampster wheel be still and the rut be filled to its brim.