‘Should’ This, ‘Should’ That: Learning to Embrace What Is

It isn’t uncommon that a therapist hears the word “should” in many sentences their clients say. “I should be… this or that…” they often cry out.

Can “shoulds” be of any help to suffering from low self-esteem or perhaps anxiety? Why does there seem to be so much power behind that single word? Are “shoulds” always negative?

According to Sigmund Freud, part of our personality points us toward the things we want to have in our lives – our aspirations and values. He called it the “ego ideal.” It can be a useful guide if it represents realistic goals and stems from a loving place within us.

But often, it doesn’t…

Read the full article here: ‘Should’ This, ‘Should’ That: Learning to Embrace What Is