Many LGBTQ+ people grow up feeling pressure to fit into rigid boxes around identity, relationships, gender, emotions, or the way we are “supposed” to live our lives. Over time, this can leave people feeling conflicted, disconnected from themselves, or worried that they do not fit neatly into other people’s expectations.
The reality is that human experience is often far more complex and nuanced than simple binary thinking allows. Attraction, identity, emotions, relationships, confidence, healing, and personal growth rarely fit perfectly into neat categories. Life can hold uncertainty, contradiction, change, and complexity all at the same time.
For many LGBTQ+ people especially, learning to move away from all or nothing thinking can be an important part of self acceptance, emotional wellbeing, and living more authentically.
In this video, I explore internalised shame and why letting go of rigid expectations can create more space for self understanding, emotional flexibility, and authenticity. If you’ve ever struggled with uncertainty, identity, perfectionism, or feeling pressure to fit into narrow definitions of who you should be, I’d really encourage you to watch the video.
If any of this resonates with you and you’d like support exploring it further, I offer LGBTQ+ affirming therapy both online and in person from my practice in Manchester city centre. You’re welcome to get in touch to arrange a free 15 minute introductory call.