Dear Diary, my therapist revealed to me the damaging effects of being called SMART

In this candid episode, the main focus of the episode is a revelation shared by the Christina’s therapist about the challenges associated with being labeled as “smart” throughout childhood. She shares her personal journey of effortlessly excelling academically until facing the reality of having to put in effort during the later years of university and in her nursing career.

The episode explores the psychological impact of associating identity with being smart, leading to a binary view of intelligence—either effortlessly smart or feeling like a failure when effort is required. She discusses the pressure and internal struggle of grappling with the belief that they should know everything without putting in the work.

The therapist’s advice to embrace the middle ground and acknowledge that learning often requires effort is highlighted. Christina openly discusses the challenges of adapting to this mindset and the fear of losing the core identity tied to being smart.

The narrative provides insights into our host’s journey of self-discovery and the attempt to rewire thought patterns, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the “smart” label for children and praising their hard work instead.

The episode concludes with a reflection on the ongoing struggle and a call to reevaluate how intelligence is perceived and communicated, suggesting a shift towards recognizing and celebrating hard work rather than innate intelligence.

In true diary-entry style, Christina leaves listeners with thought-provoking insights and personal reflections, inviting them to reconsider the impact of labels and offer gratitude for the support received. The episode wraps up with a poignant reminder to stop calling people smart and instead celebrate their hard work.

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