As another year ends, many of us may reflect on parts of our lives: relationships, career pursuits, or the challenges we’ve faced. Some tragedies or hardships may be felt nationally such as mass shootings, higher cost of living, or social injustices.

In such moments, there are some aphorisms or famous quotes that may offer some comfort or a helpful perspective. In a New Year’s mindset, we can be drawn to such words. Unfortunately, some of the most powerful and well-intentioned sayings can, at the same time, carry a risk of misleading us. They typically oversimplify or overgeneralize.

I certainly don’t want to undermine the benefit these words can bring. They may help the majority of readers, and even therapists may use them. Some of the headings below may have pulled you from a dark place. But my hope is that acknowledging the complexities that a saying may overlook can bring even greater benefit for more people or, at least, reduce the potential harms.

This phrase can lessen the emotional impact of a negative situation, like in a therapy session where a client conveys anxiety over a negative experience. But unless the client actually believes the world or their life may end, this phrase may exaggerate a client’s realistic concern which can make it easier to downplay. This process is part of the straw man fallacy, and it can feel discouraging to some clients which can inhibit future truthful disclosures (Stalder, 2024).

This statement can be a lifeline to those who are suffering. Certainly, I cannot disprove the existence of God or some other higher power or plan. And regardless of why something terrible happened, good can still come from it, and the survivor can achieve........

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