Never an Easy Answer

You know, something subtle keeps hitting me right in the face when I try to open up about difficulties...

It is way too easy for people, accidentally or not, to blame the person reaching out for not doing something specific to "fix" it.

You have relationship issues? They tell you to dump your partner.

You have anxiety? They tell you to just make yourself do scary things all by yourself.

You have no life skills? They tell you again to just do stuff until you have gained skills.

Even if you never asked for advice...

Well, I wish their advice was the right answer, but it isn't. Not always, at least. Not for everyone. They sound correct, but we aren't all able to fit the cookie-cutter mold advice. Not cleanly, anyway. Some cookies might have to be cut in order to fit, if that makes sense.

If I can't (or won't) just do as they say, then I guess I really am screwed. And it's all my fault because I didn't do the specific thing people think I need to do in order to remove the problem at hand.

Now you're not just helpless. You're helpless with guilt.