“Hacks and quick fixes” don’t belong in mental health

We live in a world that loves shortcuts. We’re encouraged to optimise, streamline, “fix it fast.” There’s a tip for everything: better sleep, less anxiety, more confidence, stronger boundaries. And while there’s nothing wrong with small supportive practices, the idea that a quick hack can heal something deep, layered, and human is not only misleading, it’s dangerous.

Psychotherapists see the real cost of this culture. Clients arrive exhausted from trying to “self-improve” their way out of pain and deep rooted emotions. They’ve read the books, saved the Instagram posts, listened to the podcasts and watched the videos. They’ve tried grounding exercises, affirmations, and breathing techniques, but still feel anxious. And they quietly wonder, What’s wrong with me that these things aren’t enough?

Here’s the spoiler! There’s nothing wrong with them. Mental health and psychological wellbeing aren’t something you hack your way through. Everything we’ve lived, loved, lost, protected ourselves from, and hoped for, our nervous system carries all of it. And of course, it shows up in how we feel. It’s the natural outcome of being a human in the world.

Genuine and lasting healing is slow, nuanced, and more relational than any quick fix will ever admit. It requires patience, compassion, focus, and a safe and protected healing space. Healing happens in the small moments where someone finally feels seen or truly heard. It occurs when a client tries something new, shares a painful experience, or lets themselves soften in a way that once felt impossible. It happens when sharing and vulnerability are met with respect and support.

Tools can certainly help; therapists use them in therapy all the time, but tools alone aren’t the work. The real work lies in understanding the “why” beneath the pattern. It’s exploring the story behind the reaction. It’s giving language to something that has been carried silently for years. It’s allowing the nervous system to learn safety again, slowly and gently.

Real change takes us the long way around when it comes to your mental health and overall psychological wellbeing. Here’s what I genuinely recommend:

1. Don’t buy into the quick-fix mentality.
   I know it’s tempting, especially when you’re struggling, but it sets an impossible standard. You are not meant to “solve” your inner world in five steps or five minutes.

2. Be careful about what you take in on social media.
   Not everything shared online is ethical or safe. Some of it preys (intentionally or unintentionally) on people who are hurting and seeking immediate relief. Advice without context or proper training can do more harm than good. Trust your instincts and be discerning about who and where you get your advice from.

3. Reach out to someone qualified and experienced.
   A trained mental health professional can help you make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface, in a gentle, safe, and non-judgmental way. They will guide and support you, and, most importantly, walk alongside you on your healing journey.

4. Trust the pace of your own healing.
   Genuine and lasting healing is oftentimes slow, challenging, and complex. But movement is movement. Even the smallest shift matters.

   And perhaps most importantly;

5. Be patient and kind to yourself in the process.
   Healing is about staying curious, staying connected, and giving yourself compassion.