Suffering Inventory

I wanted to introduce an exercise that I believe is very useful for identifying motivations to seek counseling, or for distilling down issues to address once you have decided to start counseling. It's called a Suffering Inventory and if it sounds intimidating to you, you are not alone. It can be very intimidating to list and look at the ways in which your life is hard with eyes wide open. However, this can be a powerful awareness exercise that allows you to begin to move towards growth/healing. I have both experienced personally, and seen professionally the power in being able to create this list. When the inventory is completed sincerely and comprehensively you have just made a big step in addressing the suffering. 

Step 1:

  • LIST ALL, EVERY SINGLE, MINOR and MAJOR way in which you suffer or the aspects of your life that are difficult. This is a list for you and your therapist, I challenge you to have the courage to write down the bad, the ugly and especially the embarrassing. 

Step 2: 

  • RANK the severity of the struggle. Number 1 being the aspect that causes the most pain/discomfort and working your way down to the least painful/uncomfortable.

Step 3:

  • ASK sincerely and ANSWER honestly; What is my responsibility in this struggle. Mark an “R” or check next to the sufferings you feel you have or could have some responsibility in managing. 

Step 4:

  • EXPLAIN, in any form you would like (journaling, blog, vlog, talk with friend, etc.) how your life would be different if you did not have to suffer with the Top 5 on the list. 

*BONUS STEP

  • BELIEVE that with committed valuable action you hold the power to influence this suffering and move towards satisfaction.

You deserve it,

TM

Tyler March