With the holidays just around the corner, many of us are making plans to spend time with friends and family. And while getting together is usually a joyous occasion, it can also drudge up memories we’d rather forget.
Your Past Is Part of Who You Are Today
Your past is your past – no matter how much you might want to change it – you can’t. It is part of your history and part of what makes you the person you are today. And, where you are currently in life is informed by your past – the actions, choices, and experiences you’ve made along the way. But just because your it influences and informs your present, doesn’t mean it defines it.
Let this quote serve as a simple reminder to look toward the future. ‘Never be defined by your past. It was a lesson, not a life sentence.’ – Unknown.
Let Your Personal History Inform Your Present, Not Dictate It
It is important to honor your past, no matter how much of it you would rather forget. Look back on those decisions that make you cringe. Try to understand why you made the decisions that you did. What would you do differently today if you were faced with a similar situation?
It is OK, even healthy, to spend some time in your past – but be careful. If you spend too much time there, replaying events over and over again – you can become a prisoner of it. And that is when it becomes an unhealthy situation.
Focus on Your Future
Use your past as a tool to help inform your future. When you learn from your history and the mistakes you made, then you can make different decisions when faced with similar situations in the future.
Mental Health Counseling Can Help You Build the Future You Want
Dr. Alyx MacTernan of Elemental Mental Health can help you build a roadmap to the future you want. Mental health counseling isn’t only about treating disorders. It can also serve as a safe place to help you understand your personal history and give you the tools you need to make the changes necessary to improve upon your future.
Just remember, it is your choice to continue to let the past define you, or to move past it and redefine your future. Contact Dr. MacTernan to learn more or to schedule your first counseling session.