Why “Fixing What’s Holding You Back” Matters More Than Adding Another Habit
By: Growth Era Counseling & Wellness
We’re often told that change comes from doing more:
more discipline, more motivation, more routines, more self-help tools.
But many people come to therapy feeling frustrated because they’ve already tried all of that — and still feel stuck.
The truth is, real and lasting change often happens faster when you identify and address what’s quietly working against you. One unhelpful habit, pattern, or belief can cancel out many positive efforts. If something is constantly pulling you backward, progress will always feel harder than it needs to be.
At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, therapy isn’t about “fixing” you — it’s about helping you uncover what’s costing you energy, clarity, and momentum, and learning how to change it in a way that actually sticks.
The Hidden Habits and Patterns That Keep People Stuck
Many of the habits that hold us back aren’t obvious or intentional. They often developed as coping strategies — ways to manage stress, emotions, or past experiences. At one point, they may have even helped.
Some common examples include:
Avoiding difficult conversations
Overworking or staying constantly busy
Procrastination that’s rooted in anxiety or perfectionism
Emotional numbing (scrolling, overeating, overusing substances)
People-pleasing at the expense of your own needs
Negative self-talk that feels “true,” even when it isn’t
These patterns can quietly drain your energy and keep you stuck in cycles you don’t want — even while you’re trying to build healthier habits on top of them.
This is why simply “adding better habits” doesn’t always work.
Therapy Helps You Identify the Leak Before You Fill the Bucket
Think of personal growth like filling a bucket with water. You can pour in all the effort, motivation, and self-care you want — but if there’s a leak, the bucket never fills.
Therapy helps you find the leak.
In therapy, we slow things down enough to notice:
Where your patterns came from
What purpose they serve
Why they continue even when they no longer help
What keeps you repeating cycles you want to break
This level of awareness creates clarity — and clarity is what allows real momentum to follow.
Therapy Can Be Deep and Goal-Oriented
A common misconception is that therapy has to be either very deep and emotional or very practical and action-focused. In reality, it can be both.
At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, therapy often includes:
1. Insight and Self-Understanding
We explore the emotional roots of patterns — including past experiences, relationship dynamics, and internal beliefs — so change feels meaningful, not forced.
2. Identifying What Isn’t Working
Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” therapy asks:
What habits or behaviors are no longer serving you?
What patterns keep showing up in your life?
3. Setting Clear, Achievable Goals
Therapy can be highly goal-oriented. Together, we may work on:
Reducing anxiety or overwhelm
Improving boundaries and communication
Changing avoidance or procrastination patterns
Building healthier coping skills
Creating sustainable routines that fit your life
4. Practicing Behavior Change in Real Life
Insight alone isn’t enough — therapy supports you in applying changes outside of sessions, with accountability, flexibility, and compassion.
Why Quitting the Worst Habit Often Changes Everything
Sometimes the most powerful shift doesn’t come from starting something new — it comes from letting go of one habit that’s costing you the most.
When that happens, clients often notice:
More energy
Improved mood
Less internal resistance
Faster progress toward their goals
Instead of feeling like growth is an uphill battle, things start to feel lighter and more aligned.
That’s not because change is suddenly easy — it’s because you’re no longer working against yourself.
Therapy for Adults in Connecticut (Telehealth)
Growth Era Counseling & Wellness provides online therapy for adults in Connecticut, making it easier to access support that fits into your life.
Telehealth therapy allows you to:
Attend sessions from the comfort of your home
Avoid long commutes or scheduling stress
Stay consistent with therapy even during busy seasons
Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, burned out, or simply ready for change, therapy can help you gain clarity and move forward with intention.
Growth Happens When You Address What’s Costing You
You don’t need more willpower.
You don’t need to try harder.
You don’t need another productivity system.
Sometimes, the most meaningful growth begins when you pause and ask:
“What’s quietly holding me back — and what would change if I addressed it?”
Therapy offers a supportive space to explore that question and turn insight into action.
If you’re ready to move out of survival mode and into your next growth era, Growth Era Counseling & Wellness is here to support you.