Brett Cooper

Cognitive dissonance isn't just having mixed feelings, says another clinical psychologist.

It is a psychological state that happens when somebody holds two conflicting beliefs or values at the same time, or they are engaging in behaviors that contradict their values.

Holding space.

for sports, for your conflicting cognitive dissonance over US sports.

Like every day, I genuinely question how people reached adulthood.

If you are literally in therapy talking about your feelings about cheering for a certain sport or a certain team, like I do not know what to tell you.

Thankfully though, these therapists have experience.

They do know what to say and they are here to walk us all through these tough times.

The article goes on and says,

There is no easy, tidy resolution to addressing these big feelings.

Learning to move through the cognitive dissonance means naming these emotions and letting complexity exist.

You can hold more than one truth at the same time.

You can admire the discipline and sacrifice of the athletes, and you can strongly disagree with the government policy.

And you can feel both pride and disgust without needing to collapse that into one correct thing.

Like, I mean, what is this?

Is this like Miss Rachel?

We're dealing with our big feelings.

Why are we treating adults like they are emotionally dysregulated toddlers?

That is exactly what this article is doing.

Oh wait, actually, it's probably because that's how they act.