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The Mental Health Habit That Feels Like Self-Care but Is Actually Holding You Back

A therapist explains when rest and self-compassion support healing, and when avoiding discomfort starts getting in the way of growth.

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We’ve made impressive mental health progress in recent years, thanks to the younger generations’ willingness to seek professional help and admit their struggles, as well as more prevalent mental health resources at our disposal. Individuals are now setting firmer boundaries with loved ones, prioritizing their emotional well-being, and practicing self-care to support their healing.

However, as with many things in life, the pendulum sometimes swings a bit too far in the other direction. While we might not push ourselves too hard without any rest or self-compassion anymore, many people are leaning into the other extreme: self-coddling.

I, myself, have partaken in both patterns: I’ve been the person holding myself accountable for absolutely every minor mistake or mishap in........

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