When Our Greatest Strengths Become Our Weaknesses
“Strengths identification” tends to be a key component when initially starting therapy. However, not every client is educated on the concept of double edged swords. A double edge sword is a metaphor used to describe something that has both positive and negative qualities. In therapy a strength that is a double edged sword is a strength that in healthy doses can bolster us and lift us up but in excess can cause conflict and discord in our life
Take persistence for example - In healthy doses, persistence helps us improve follow-through, achieve personal goals, builds confidence, teaches us to navigate set backs, and improves comfort in attempting self advocacy. In excess, persistence can become stubbornness. This can lead to an inability to hear or internalize other points of view, stunt growth, has the potential to damage relationships, and can lead to feelings of isolation.
Understanding what strength is your double edge sword can be helpful in supporting you in moving through the world more mindfully; which is often a core objective in therapy. Often as we get older and move further into our life, we start leaning into certain strengths more out of habit. We stop actively considering if it is the appropriate tool for the job, and pick it up because it feels comfortable which can be a disservice to ourselves and others.
By stopping and considering what our strengths are and how we use them we create more opportunities for ourselves to be an active participant in our own lives. This in turn helps us feel like we have more control, and helps reduce the amount of regret we experience as our actions better align with our core values, which adds an air of authenticity to our lives. So as we enter the new year I encourage you to identify one strength you have that is a double edged sword and try practicing using it with more mindful intention for 2025.
With warm regards,
Megan Bell, LMFT # 114303
Thrive Therapy & Counseling
2131 Capitol Ave, Suite 306
Sacramento, CA, 95816
she/her
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