In the 1980s, if you wanted to receive advice on how to grow a tomato, you probably had to talk to someone, or go to the library and get out a book on the topic. The time frame between wanting to grow the tomato and getting the information on how to grow said tomato might be a week or so. That’s provided that you knew someone, or the library had the book you wanted in stock, and that there was enough information available on the said topic. You might still feel confused when you read the book; perhaps it wasn’t written well enough, or didn’t have enough diagrams for you to understand. In which case, maybe you’d sign up for a course, or try to find an expert to speak to.

These days, information has never, ever been easier to attain. Especially if you know how to use a phone. With the click of a few buttons, and/or maybe the use of an AI website, you can pretty much guarantee some decent information on any chosen subject, and the option to clarify anything you don’t understand. Information is no longer rare or difficult to access.

Given the abundance of resources, there is a really, really good chance that you already know what the problem is, and you already know what you should (at least in theory) be doing. The issue usually isn’t about information, it’s usually more about the experience of being isolated and frustrated. You might be surrounded by people, but does it feel like you can relax and talk about your struggles without being interrupted, or advised to do things you already know about?

You may know that you’re low, or that you’re stuck in a binge-loop cycle. You may have already read up on it, and have good insight into what needs to be done. But doing anything on your own in life is tough. Accountability and care are the difference between the idea of doing something and the reality of living it. Especially when you hit a dip, or change starts feeling exhausting and painful, and your coping mechanisms seem more attractive than the idea of a different life.

Talking is cathartic and being able to hear your own voice explain the problem can help you solve it. I’ve seen it enough times now to know that it works.