SELF-REFLECTION | PERSONAL GROWTH | MENTAL HEALTH
Why We Should Not Trust Anyone With Only One Exception
Day 3 — Journaling for Self-Reflection and Personal Growth.
✍️ Who Is Someone I Can Always Count on and Why?
I guess many would expect answers like “the family” or “the partner” at this point. And this thought also came to me first.
But does that actually represent the truth? Can I really count on these people unconditionally?
At least I can say with certainty that my family — and I include my partner in this — makes an effort to always be there for me when I need them. The will is there — no question!
And yet we are all only human.
Yes, doubts resonate here. And yes, that includes me, of course.
The Thing About Being Human
We, humans, want to be “good” and we want to stand by our loved ones in difficult times. This usually works out quite well — until…
… until things don’t go well for ourselves.
Now a role change takes place. But what if, for example, my partner is going through a difficult time right then?
Will he still have the strength to stand by me?
Doesn’t he need much more support himself?
Do I have the strength to give him this support?
As you can see, we end up at a dead end.
The Thing About Responsibility
In addition, there is the feeling of guilt when we would like to help, but can’t do it as effectively as we would like to.
If I choose a person on whom I can always count, no matter what, then that person may feel flattered, but at the same time, I am placing a great responsibility on that loved one.
If I were to go even further, I would make my well-being depend on the chosen person. This can be an incredible burden for that someone.
The Thing About Everyday Life
As someone who doesn’t own or drive a car, I know exactly what it’s like to be dependent on others sometimes.
For example, a person cannot spontaneously drive to the medical doctor if he or she has just taken a medication that impairs their ability to drive.
It would also be unfair to expect someone to spontaneously leave their workplace and risk getting into trouble with their boss just because I need their help.
And now?
I would like to emphasize once again that people do make an effort to be there for their loved ones. But relying on it unconditionally, I think, is not such a good idea.
So…
The person I can always count on…
…is me.
I usually assume that I am on my own. If someone helps me after all, I’m glad and happy about it. And yet, I’ve gotten into the habit of only relying on myself 100%.
💬 Who can you always count on?
Share it in the comments!
This was the 3rd entry in the 30-Day Journal for Self-Reflection and Personal Growth — a challenge by Dr. Tracy Davis. Thanks for the idea and the invitation for everyone to join in!
Find all my other entries in the 30-Day Journal for Self-Reflection and Personal Growth:
