Why Following Your Values is Beneficial

How Anxiety Can Hold Us Back

Anxiety holds us back by pushing us to avoid situations that cause discomfort, even if those situations are important to us. This avoidance can stop us from pursuing our goals and living a fulfilling life. Values are the antidote because they give us a clear sense of what really matters, guiding us to take action even when anxiety is present. By focusing on our values, we can move forward and do what’s meaningful, rather than being controlled by fear.

Choice Point

The ACT Choice Point is a tool that helps you recognize moments when you can either move toward your values or away from them. It’s a simple diagram that shows a situation or trigger at the center, with two possible paths: one leading to actions that align with your values (toward moves) and one leading to actions that avoid discomfort but take you away from your values (away moves). This tool helps you make conscious choices that support the kind of life you want to live, recognising that doing so will likely mean experiencing anxiety and discomfort.

Passengers on a Bus Metaphor

You see your thoughts and feelings as passengers on a bus you’re driving. Even if some passengers (negative thoughts) are noisy or unpleasant, you can keep driving toward your values, instead of letting them control where you go.

Monsters on a Boat Metaphor

You imagine yourself as the captain of a boat with scary monsters (your fears and worries) on board. Instead of spending all your time and energy trying to fight or get rid of the monsters, you focus on steering the boat toward your values and goals, letting the monsters be there without letting them control your direction.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is available from our Geelong Psychologist. Contact us for more details or to make a referral.