People got insights into what was bothering them, but they hardly did a damn thing to change

People got insights into what was bothering them, but they hardly did a damn thing to change

Albert Ellis, the renowned psychologist and founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), often spoke about the importance of identifying and challenging irrational beliefs in order to achieve emotional well-being. One of his famous quotes, “People got insights into what was bothering them, but they hardly did a damn thing to change,” highlights a common phenomenon in therapy where individuals may gain insight into their issues but struggle to take action to address them.

Ellis believed that many people hold onto irrational beliefs that contribute to their emotional distress. These beliefs often take the form of rigid, absolutist thinking patterns such as “I must be perfect” or “I must be loved by everyone.” Through therapy, individuals can gain insight into these irrational beliefs and the ways in which they contribute to their emotional problems. However, simply gaining insight is not enough to bring about lasting change.