Using DEAR MAN When I Wanted to Avoid Everything

So today I REALLY didn’t want to do something important. Like… really.
But instead of hiding or making excuses, I used the DEAR MAN steps we were practicing.

D — Describe what was going on.
E — Express why I was nervous.
A — Assert what I needed help with.
R — Reinforce that I’d try my best if someone helped me.

It actually worked.
My counselor understood me. And I didn’t get in trouble. I just needed a way to explain what was happening inside my head.

Brave Brain Reminder:
Sometimes the bravest thing isn’t doing it perfectly — it’s just telling the truth about what’s hard.