This month I have been to the opticians for a routine eye test. Nothing felt particularly problematic with my vision, but I discovered I needed a new prescription for both distance and near-sight, so I now have a shiny new pair of glasses.
For me, there is something exciting about getting a new pair of glasses. At first, particularly with varifocal lenses, they can feel strange—unfamiliar and a little uncomfortable. The world around looks a little different – sharper, clearer, or brighter than before. I’m used to varifocal lenses now, so I put them on and enjoy the new sharper, easier focus, but in the past this new way of seeing and adjusting to the lenses felt strange and a little disorientating. Yet, the world itself doesn’t change. It’s the same flowers and trees, the same busy streets, and the same faces of those we love. What has changed is how we see it all.
In many ways, psychological growth and change is just the same. As we become curious and gently challenge old beliefs and ideas it’s like we are trying on a new lens to see the world. The old ways of seeing—often shaped by past experiences of pain, fear, or self-doubt—might have blurred the edges or darkened the colours of the world we see. These old lenses, and what we saw through them, were familiar even if they didn’t always serve us well. But just like putting on new lenses, stepping into a new way of understanding ourselves and the world can feel both exhilarating and unnerving.
Imagine putting on a lens of self-compassion for the first time. Instead of harsh judgments, we can see struggles through a much softer, kinder focus. The mistakes we have beaten ourselves up for in the past might now appear as human, and understandable.
What if we look through a lens of acceptance, which allows us to sit with discomfort or uncertainty without rushing to push it away. At first, it might feel unfamiliar, like wearing glasses with a prescription you’re not yet used to. But over time, with gentle perseverance, the clarity we come to appreciate can become second nature, the norm.
The beauty of this process is that it doesn’t demand the world to change. We do not have to try to change anything around us. Life’s challenges, uncertainties, and messiness will all remain. Yet, through a new lens, those experiences can begin to look and feel different. A rainy day might no longer feel gloomy but refreshing. Something we might have perceived as a failure previously might transform into an important lesson. Even the seemingly mundane can take on a new richness, like noticing the delicate petals of a flower or the warmth of a stranger’s smile as we pass on the street.
Of course, just like with glasses, these new lenses may need adjustments. Some days, they might feel like they don’t fit at all, and the temptation to return to old, familiar ways of seeing can be strong. But with time and patience, they begin to feel more natural, more like a part of you. And even if you occasionally put them down, the perspective they offer remains accessible, easy to pick up again. I know for sure if I take my glasses off momentarily, I’m now relieved to put them back on again to see more clearly and with less strain
Choosing to see the world differently doesn’t mean denying its challenges or pretending everything is ok. It’s about allowing ourselves to experience the same world with more clarity, kindness, and openness. It’s about recognising that while we can’t always change what we see, we can learn to choose how we see and respond to it.
So, what might it be like to try on a new pair of psychological glasses? To see yourself with compassion, to meet others with curiosity, or to begin to embrace life with acceptance? It may feel strange at first, even uncomfortable; but as we adjust with the new lens, and the view comes into focus, you may find a world that feels richer, more vibrant and meaningful—even though it’s the same world you’ve always known.
With January love. Sarah x
FAQ’s
What does do you mean by seeing the world through a psychological lens?
Seeing the world through a psychological lens involves making changes to how you perceive and respond to your experiences. It might mean approaching life with greater compassion, curiosity, or acceptance, which can help you see challenges, relationships, and yourself in a more understanding and empowering way.
How is this different from positive thinking?
This isn’t about forcing positivity or ignoring difficulties. It’s about gently allowing space for the full range of human experiences while changing how you relate to them. For instance, rather than pushing away discomfort, you might learn to approach it with curiosity and acceptance, which can make challenges a little easier to navigate.
Will this new way of seeing make challenges disappear?
No, the challenges themselves remain, just like the world doesn’t change when you get new glasses. What changes is your relationship with those challenges. With a clearer, kinder perspective, you may find it easier to handle difficulties and even discover you have strengths or opportunities you didn’t realise you have.
Why does this process feel so uncomfortable at first?
Like adjusting to new glasses, adjusting to a different way of seeing can feel strange initially. Your mind and emotions may be used to old patterns, even if they don’t serve you well. With time and practice, the discomfort fades, and the new perspective feels more natural.
How can I start trying on a new psychological lens?
Begin with small practices. For example, try noticing your inner critic and responding with self-compassion, or pause to acknowledge your feelings without judging them.
Meet Sarah
Sarah is a BACP accredited psychotherapist who has a special interest in working with those who struggle with their relationship with food, weight and body image. She originally trained in relational counselling and has since qualified in EMDR, Compassion Focused Therapy, and ACT.
Sarah’s experience has been developed in a variety of settings including supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse, as well as many years of working with individuals and groups in mental health teams and a specialist NHS eating disorder service. She delivers training and education around working safely and effectively with people with eating disorders and has been a guest on several podcasts as well as co-hosting her own podcast previously.
Sarah now works in private practice where her passion, alongside her own lived experience of an eating disorder, shape her hopeful, compassionate and collaborative approach to therapy.
