We’ve all been there.
We’ve all faced difficult times in our lives. And sometimes, it can feel like no one in the universe can really, truly understand what we’re going through that no one can know how we feel.
It can make us feel really lonely.
As much as our experiences differ, and even though we all experience them differently as individuals, there is, however, some common ground. That’s the beauty of life – it’s complicated and diverse, yet we’re all human. And human nature has the capacity for empathy and sympathy, and we often experience and feel similar things.
Talking to strangers can be strange at first, especially when dealing with your most personal thoughts and feelings. Still, there are also specific benefits, especially when you’re talking with others facing a similarly hard time. Your inner circle of friends may be the closest people to you, but if you’re dealing with anxiety or depression or grief, and they are not, it can be challenging to connect. But if you speak with others who are also going through the same thing as you are, it can be a real epiphany to realize there are people out there who know how I feel.
When you speak with others in a similar situation, you can get relief hearing what they’re going through and realizing you’re not alone. Not only that, but you can provide them with relief by talking about what you’re going through – you support and learn from each other. The diversity of life experience is also a benefit since it can help us discover different ways of coping or provide us with a whole new perspective on our situation.
Connecting with others going through similar hard times, especially in a small group led by a professional therapist, can be a beneficial method for helping people feel better and learn new coping skills. Groups such as these can help reduce feelings of isolation and alienation and give us a sense that “we’re all in this together.”
Another benefit is the opportunity to express your feelings and practice new coping skills in a safe, secure environment. When you are part of a supportive circle and surrounded by people who can relate to what you’re going through, you can rely on their support. This can give you strength and confidence, even between group meetings.
So, even though we all face our life challenges, so many people are dealing with similar things. Whether it’s a feeling of stress or anxiety or dealing with a specific life transition, we can take comfort knowing others are going through the same thing. When you find these others, and when you can connect with them in a meaningful way, it can make all the difference.
