As far as anyone knows, it is frustrating because there are no roadmaps on to how to navigate the twists and turns of Life. If we become a new parent, there is no book to teach us how to parent. Nor is there a marriage and partnership manual on how to make the relationship last. It makes sense that we would want to consult a knowing and trustworthy guide to help us navigate the road of life from time to time.
It is just as important to know the roads we have taken and the places we have been, as much as the destinations we are headed to. Otherwise, we run the risk of re-tracing our steps in an endless loop, getting exhausted and nowhere at the same time.
As a therapist, I see a psychodynamic approach to therapy as a way of getting a bird’s eye view of the lay of the land. In that process trust is gradually established with your therapist as you both revisit parts traveled. Your therapist and you might go back in time to understand how you arrived there, and what has you feeling stuck now. Maybe you missed a stop sign and got blind-sided. Maybe you missed a turn and now are lost in the desert. It is important to know the paths you have already traveled to understand and make an informed decision about which path to take to move forward toward rewarding changes.
It can be helpful to navigate with a co-pilot, rather than alone. But getting back on track begins only once you ask for help. Since Life is about the journey and not always about the destination, let’s at least be able to hang onto the ride securely - bumpy parts and all.