From very early on we receive messages about our inner experience:
- We must get rid of negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety or anger and replace them with positive emotions such as happiness
- Happiness is the ultimate goal for all humans
- If we are not happy, there must be something wrong with us
- We must control or minimize our feelings
- There are ways we should and should not think
- Once we are less (insert feeling here), then we will be able to have the life we want
All of these messages put us at war with our inner experience. Human beings will do almost anything as humans to get rid of an uncomfortable inner experience – drink, use drugs, shop, eat, binge Netflix, doom scroll – and so many more. ACT takes a unique approach to the inner experience – one that is about letting go of the constant struggle against it. We will help you to find your willingness to think whatever thoughts and feel whatever feelings show up when you are engaging in life.
The life you want is closer than you think 