How to Stop Worrying: Try Talking to a Stranger
Ever notice how it’s sometimes easier to talk to a stranger about your problems than those closest to you? It’s counterintuitive, of course, but it’s true. When we share something that is going on in our lives with someone we don’t know, we don’t have to worry about how they might judge us or how the relationship might be negatively impacted by our confessions. There’s also less fear of rejection because the connection is temporary, so it feels like there’s less at stake. Strangers also offer a fresh perspective. They don’t carry preconceived ideas about us or our specific situations, which can make it easier to be open and honest in our conversation. You might feel that you can speak freely without the burden of expectations or complicated and biased history when you don’t know the person on the other side of the conversation. There is a certain freedom in knowing that you can share something without worrying about it coming up in future conversations. There’s no past or shared context. There is no expectation or fear of manipulation. These conversations with random strangers allow us to speak freely, without concern about this conversation or our next interaction. I’m not advocating that you unload your worries onto an online message board for all the world to see. Nor am I encouraging you to corner that friendly-looking lady at the coffee shop. But I am encouraging you to seek this type of emotional release with a professional Christian therapist. With a therapist, you can express the internal pressure that sometimes comes with talking to close family and friends without the fear of bias, retaliation, or your biggest fear being discussed at the next family dinner. What’s great about this type of “stranger” is that they have tools to help you [...]