I think a lot about fix-it energy, and I recently connected the dot that fix-it energy is perhaps a symptom of capitalism. You know, this idea that if I can provide you the fix, I can also sell you the solution.

In the context of therapy, I encounter this most often is when people ask me, “Can you give me a series of skills that I can incorporate so that I don’t have to feel this way?” And I understand the sentiment and the desire to get that answer. But inherent in that question is the search for the fix-it energy.

And I always tell people: yes, there are skills you can learn to regulate and cope with your life. But if your whole life is a series of coping skills, then that’s just a cope. When are you actually living?

There’s also an interesting realization that the need for fix-it energy—this symptom of capitalism, as I’m calling it—is both psychologically harmful and psychologically helpful.

Harmful in the sense that we’re always consuming more and more, looking for the thing that will make us better.

And perhaps psychologically hopeful, because we have this built-in expectation that if I just earn enough money, find the right people, or buy the right product, I can pay for the thing and then I’ll be saved.

So there’s this forever quest for the magical other—the thing that will save you. And we unconsciously relish that possibility, believing that something will come.

And now, as I write that out and think about it, I realize that’s actually not psychologically helpful at all, because it always keeps you looking outside of yourself.... so, thanks for letting me work that idea out here... lol

I guess the point I’d like to make, and hopefully have you take away, is: notice where there’s fix-it energy.

Notice what it feels like when people meet you with fix-it energy, and notice what it’s like when you meet yourself that way.

Because I find that for me, a part of me always rebels when I’m met with that. Instead, I look for acceptance energy, curious energy, compassionate energy.

With love,

Christian

PS: Speaking of getting fixed! 😛 We are scheduled for Attuned Inquiry tomorrow evening and we still have spots open. We're scheduled at 6:30 PM MDT. You can register here! Come through, and maybe you'll leave fixed. I'd love to see you there!