Sometimes We’re Like Cats—We Hide When We Don’t Feel Right
- Stefan Jurgens
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 20
We took the cat to the vet today. It’s never fun, but it’s necessary. Cats don’t complain. They don’t have the vocabulary for it—not in a way we easily understand. Instead, they get quieter, more withdrawn. They hide. And since cats tolerate pain and discomfort better than we do, by the time we notice something’s wrong, it’s often been wrong for a while.
People aren’t that different. We don’t always recognize when something’s off. We don’t always have the words to describe it. Sometimes, we wake up and realize we’ve been in a dark place for weeks, months—maybe longer. It sneaks up. And sometimes, it takes someone else noticing before we do. “You haven’t been yourself lately.” “Is everything okay?”
That’s where community comes in. The people who know us, who care. The ones who can see past “I’m fine” and push just enough to get us talking. If we’re lucky, we have people like that. But even if we do, it’s not always easy to let them in.
When you’re feeling off, what do you do? Do you pull away, like a cat under the bed? Do you snap at people without really knowing why? Do you drown yourself in distractions, hoping the feeling passes? How do you communicate what you don’t fully understand yourself?
This is where psychotherapy can help. Therapy provides a structured, non-judgmental space to explore what we’re feeling—even when we don’t have the words for it yet. A therapist helps us untangle complex emotions, recognize patterns, and develop a vocabulary for our inner experiences. By talking things through, we gain clarity, identify triggers, and learn healthier ways to express and manage what we’re going through.
If you don’t have the words, start small. Acknowledge something’s different. Ask yourself what’s changed. Work? Relationships? Health? Sleep? Even one word—frustrated, exhausted, empty—can be a starting point. And if you can’t pinpoint it? That’s okay. Therapy helps bridge that gap, guiding you toward self-awareness and emotional understanding.
We can grow into bad moods, into burnout, into emotional numbness. But we can grow out of them, too. It takes time, awareness, and sometimes professional help. A therapist, a friend, a journal—someone or something to help us put words to what we’re experiencing. Because once we can name it, we can start to do something about it.
Your cat won’t tell you when they’re in pain. You have to notice. And sometimes, you have to be the one to notice for yourself, too. Pay attention. Check in. Ask the questions—even when you don’t have the answers yet. If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out. You don’t have to do it alone.
The good news is that our cat is okay now. After a visit to the vet, the issue was addressed, and she’s back to her usual self. But just like us, she needed attention when something wasn’t right.
If you’re struggling, you don’t have to go through this alone. I work with individuals applying an integrative and holistic approach to therapy. I can help you process the emotions you're facing and create a path forward that makes sense for you.
I’m currently accepting new clients for online sessions at Inner Counsel Therapy.
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