We Know What We Know, but We Feel How We Feel

"When people come to you for advice, it's usually very easy to give thoughtful and helpful solutions to most problems. Yet, when we have a similar problem, we are often stumped. Are our problems so much more complex and difficult than everyone else's? Nope. We're just clouded by emotion and can't see as clearly. The reason for this phenomenon is simple. We know what we know, but we feel how we feel."

"When we look at someone else's problem, we are emotionally separated from it, so we can see it logically. Most struggles that people have are not that unique. We're all human, and even though we are all unique, we're actually more similar than we are different. We often want very similar things from life-to feel good about ourselves, to have happy and fulfilling relationships, to be good at our various roles (such as partners, parents, friends), and to not struggle financially."

People often seek therapy to find solutions, though they frequently already know the answers. Emotions cloud judgment and prevent clear problem-solving even when logical solutions are accessible. Observing others' problems provides emotional distance that enables clearer, more rational advice. Human struggles and desires are commonly shared, including wanting self-worth, fulfilling relationships, competence in roles, and financial stability. Feeling how one feels often overrides knowing what to do, leading to inaction or poor decisions. Asking what advice one would give another can reveal sound solutions, but intentional emotional detachment is necessary to act on that insight.

Read at Psychology Today