Is This Normal?

Written by: Brittany Glaser, M.A., M.Div.

One of my favorite quotes on relationships is: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one” by C.S. Lewis. Friendships, and relationships in general, can create these authentic moments of connection; the moment when someone goes from feeling completely alone to knowing they aren’t the only one.

Often that connecting moment can be simple. It can be sharing that you feel something and finding out that someone else has felt that too. The moment of “it’s not just me” is healing and relieving.

In therapy we talk a lot about creating and holding onto healthy human relationships and connections. One big part of that is something we call normalization. In other words, it’s helping someone realize that what they are going through is normal; they are not alone in having to deal with those things or the emotions that go with them.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for ourselves and one another is opening the space for someone else to “normalize” and connect with our experiences. We can do that by sharing our feelings and struggles with those who are safe. We can also do that through therapy. We can help listen to your experiences, thoughts, and emotions and then sort through to find connections and work on tools to manage things that are causing disconnection or isolation.

If you find yourself struggling with overwhelming thoughts, painful circumstances, or waves of emotions, I promise you are not the only one. You are not alone, and we can help you find a way to find that connection and healing amid the things going on in your life.