Have you ever seen the movie Runaway Bride with Julia Roberts?

If not, you have homework! Here’s a quick synopsis: The main character is a woman who is seemingly doing great, but every time she gets into a serious relationship and goes so far as to get engaged and plan a wedding, she flakes and runs away.

There is something about marriage that scares her, so instead of communicating (which is what we always advise you to do in online therapy!), she runs away. Like literally. On foot, by car, and even by horseback!

Honestly, the compulsion is real. Sometimes we get so pressurized and overwhelmed that we may feel the only way out is to run. Most of us have run away from something in our lives, and we likely had a good reason at the time.

But, let’s talk about an alternative to creating the life you want. An antidote to ‘running away’ that entails a mindset shift above all else.

Moving towards what you DO want in life!

Image ofa woman hugging herself in front of a pink background showing the confidence you can gain from online therapy in Oregon. You can start loving your life and your self with stress counseling in Tigard, OR with an Oregon online therapist .

How does that sound? Does that feel lighter? Less dramatic? More in control?

The act of moving towards something instead of running away from it is a positive action. It says that you are taking control of your life and deciding where you are going and with whom.

You can put this into practice in every facet of life. Here are some examples…

Unhappy in Your Job?

You are working at a job you don’t care for. You either think the work is boring/hard, you don’t like your co-workers, or you spend too much time doing it. Once you realize your unhappiness your first instinct is to quit. Right away. Get out of there!

But, you decide (after reading this blog by an online therapist, of course!) that you want to approach it differently. You want to think about what you DO want and take action to get there. So, start to explore what it is you want in a work situation. This helps you in understanding what to look for so you don’t repeat the pattern.

Make a list of your ideal working life. For example…

Then, spend time looking for new work opportunities that fit your list. Hop on LinkedIn and network with interesting people, ask for what you want, and find your ideal job. And then? Quit your job and MOVE toward the new one. No running away. No feeling guilty, sad, or dishonest.

Struggling In Your Relationship?

Image of Julia Roberts in Run away bride which shows the benefits of moving forward in life with the help of an online therapist in Oregon. If you have life or relationship streuggles stress counseling or online therapy Oregon can help.

Another example may be a relationship you are struggling with. This could be a romantic one, a friendship, or even a family member. Maybe you aren’t sure it’s really a good fit. Maybe you know for sure you don’t want to continue in it. Or maybe, you haven’t communicated how you are feeling to the other person and are feeling stuck.

Now that you’ve read about Julia Roberts and her disastrous horse getaways, pause and spend some time thinking about your ideal relationship - the kind you want to have or move towards.

Before doing anything drastic (unless it is abusive in any way, then you should definitely leave quickly and safely), ask for some space from the person you are in a relationship with and begin thinking about and visualizing your ideal relationship.

Make a list of your ideal partner/friendship/family relationship. For example…

  • Respectful of your boundaries
  • Has their own interests and hobbies
  • A really good listener
  • Likes to have fun and laugh
  • Has a good sense of humor
  • Likes to be outside and be active

Then, ask the person you are in a relationship with to have a conversation about what you need and want. You can also ask them to join you in talking with a therapist because it's actually easier to discuss some of these things with an impartial person as a guide for the conversation.

And if they refuse to work with you or hear you, it’s time to move toward a new relationship with someone who embodies your ideals. You aren’t running away, you are moving on. You are looking for people who will ADD to your life and you to theirs. 

Start Getting What You Want In Life With Online Therapy in Oregon

Image of a man at a split in the road with a sign that points both directions showing the types of decisions that stress counseling in Tigard, OR can help with. Through online therapy and online therapist can make moving forward in life easier.

So, first, watch the movie. You’ll see she realizes after taking some time that she wants to be done running. (Plus, watching an old Julia Roberts flick is just a fun thing to do!) But after that, find an online therapist (You’ve arrived!) and start creating the life you want.

At Discover Counseling in Tigard, OR we provide online therapy so that you can start moving forward in a way that is convenient for you. In order to take the first step in creating the life that you want follow these steps:

  1. Contact us to speak with a mental health professional at Discover Counseling
  2. Schedule your first counseling appointment
  3. Get support as you stop running away and start moving forward.

Other Counseling Services That We Offer in Tigard, OR

Our caring counselors and therapists offer different types of therapy services to support your needs. Such as therapy for anxiety, trauma recovery, life transitions, and postpartum support. As well as teen therapy, Christian counseling, and codependency treatment. We also offer support for your relationship with premarital, couples, and marriage counseling. Plus individual therapy for relationship problems.