Many people over 45 grew up in a different reality. In a world where “don’t cry,” “nobody cares about your feelings,” and “psychologists are for the weak” were common ideas. Vulnerability wasn’t seen as something human—it was almost a shame. “Don’t air your dirty laundry” was the rule, because what would people think? “Just endure it and it will pass” was the universal recipe for any pain.
This generation learned to survive—with clenched jaws, the habit of coping alone, and distrust for words like “support” or “allow yourself.”
It’s hard for them to go to therapy not because they “don’t believe in it,” but because they spent decades getting by without it. Because it’s scary—to look deep inside. Scary to see how much is still frozen, forgotten, or pushed away inside.
And it’s also shameful. As if going to a psychologist means admitting: “I’m weak. I can’t cope.”
But in fact, therapy isn’t about weakness at all.
Therapy is about maturity. About being honest with yourself. About not wanting to live in constant tension anymore. Not wanting to be strong just out of spite, but wanting to be truly strong.
Wanting to stop carrying everything alone and start feeling, breathing, being alive.
And maybe 45+ is exactly the age when you finally can—because you don’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore.
Because now you actually want something real—for yourself.