There’s Something About Damon: Everyone Needs a Little Help Sometimes

Photo by Anastasiya Dalenka on Unsplash

Hype and hoo-ha

Life coaching is all the rage these days, along with counselling, therapy and self-help gurus. Think #selfhelp #selflove #selfcompassion, a bit like kombucha with less kick and more of “What is the meaning of life?” questioning doing the rounds. Thinking the big questions here, “Who am I?”, “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?” You can’t turn on Instagram without seeing a coach for this and a coach for that. Pic ’n’ mix anyone? You name it and there’s a coach for it! Yet, with all the hype and hoo-ha, not everyone is racing to join the queue to book their first session. In fact some people break out into a cold sweat just thinking about it. So, what’s really behind this type of reaction?

Judgy, judgy

Let’s face it: nobody wants to pay someone to talk about their obsession with Damon in The Vampire Diaries or their inability to go one day without sugary snacks (or maybe they do. My hands up here on both …). Opening up to a life coach means exposing all your weird and maybe not so wonderful ways, bad habits, and failed lifestyle transformations. Doesn’t it? There’s a fear that your coach will get all judgy, judgy of you for binge-watching Netflix shows (see reference to Damon above) or that monumental stack of self-help books gathering dust on the book shelf which you always plan to read but just haven’t got round to because you tell yourself you don’t have the time. Spoiler alert: coaches are people too! They have seen it all and where do you think those examples above came from! Most life coaches have a few (I mean a lot) of embarrassing confessions themselves, which is why they have some understanding of where you’re coming from and can help you find where you’re going given the chance.

Unsure about effectiveness

Will a life coach really help? Or will you just end up with more hi-vis coloured post it notes stuck to the fridge door and an even deeper rooted crisis? Some people worry that all they’ll walk away with is an empty bank balance and a longer to-do list than before with action steps that sound suspiciously like hard work. And if you’ve already tried everything from Tai-Chi to body balance classes and still haven’t aligned your mind, body and spirit, you ask yourself will a life coach really be any different?

The cost

Then there’s the financial cost to consider. Hiring a life coach can be a bit expensive, especially when you think about how you could spend that money on a new pair of shoes, tech or a lifetime supply of coffee at Costas. The anxiety is real. What if all you get are ums, ahs and pep talks and a few motivational quotes you could’ve found for yourself on your social networking feed? Mind you, at least with a coach, you might finally learn how to ‘manifest’ your dream holiday right? or a better and longer to-do list.

What others may think

In some circles, admitting you have hired a life coach is like admitting you still sleep with the light on and check under the bed and in the wardrobe for monsters in hiding (I did this right into adulthood). And perish the thought, people might think you have a few problems. People worry that they’ll be labelled incapable, indecisive and dare I say needy and neurotic. The thought of someone saying. “You need a coach” implies someone can’t do things for themselves or at least that’s what they think. The truth is, everyone, needs a little help sometimes. And I mean everyone. Nobody’s life is perfect, no matter what you see on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram or anywhere else for that matter.

Not the final word

Yes, getting a life coach can be nerve-racking for many of us, like karaoke night for the cat chorus or arranging a takeaway for the phone shy. However, recognising these fears for what they are (simply fears) and laughing at them a little, can be the first step toward getting the help you need. After all, life’s too short to make it all more than it is!

At the end of the day, turns out it’s just one person helping another.

Remember nothing ventured, nothing gained.

© Liola Lee 2026