Someone I know believes that a key part of their role as a manager is as a therapist. Their reasoning is straightforward – “Everybody needs a shrink. And, it is often the manager’s role to be that person.”
I’ve come to believe in the “everybody needs a shrink” idea over time.
We all have work through complex situations and heady problems as part of our day-to-day. And, we benefit when we have someone in our lives who is committed to listening and helping without judging. Some of us hire a therapist or psychologist. Others are fortunate to have someone who plays that role in their lives during periods of need.
I’ve also come to believe that the most accessible form of therapy is writing.
If you’re feeling stuck or stressed, try writing about it.
If you’re feeling unclear about something, again, write (or type).
Don’t worry about writing well. Just put your thoughts down.
The act of doing so will clarify the situation.
While writing doesn’t and cannot replace the role of an effective therapist to a patient in need, it offers a great starting point. More regular writing is definitely a step that leads to better mental and emotional health. And, perhaps most importantly, it is an easily accessible step.
The onus is just on us to start.
