Tales and Trifles

Change is inevitable, yet we often resist it—even when we know it’s necessary. Why do we cling to patterns that no longer serve us? In therapy, I’ve observed that fear of the unknown, attachment to identity, and the illusion of control all play a role in this paradox.

We often suppress emotions, believing that ignoring them will make them disappear. But unspoken feelings don’t vanish—they manifest in anxiety, tension, and even physical symptoms.

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same patterns, making the same mistakes despite knowing better? Psychology calls this repetition compulsion—a subconscious drive to recreate familiar experiences, even when they hurt us.

Comfort is soothing, but it can also be deceptive. We often stay in familiar situations—not because they’re good for us, but because they feel safe.