Your Wellbeing: The Untapped Power Behind Your Success | Part 1 What's Holding You Back?

This is part of an InsideOut Well conversation series where we get real about emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing with our panel of experts.

There are times when something feels off. Not dramatic. Just a quiet discomfort that lingers. A loop you cannot seem to break. A heaviness that sleep does not quite fix. Even then, we hesitate. When it comes to seeking support, especially through counselling, we delay. We tell ourselves it is not that bad. That we should cope. That it will pass. But what if that delay is part of the problem?

In the first session of our InsideOut Well conversation series, we spoke with counsellor Lin Peimin. We talked about why people hold back from asking for help and what actually happens when they decide to show up. It was not a campaign to promote therapy. It was a steady, grounded look at the invisible barriers people carry and how those barriers can slowly begin to fall.

The Invisible Pause Before the Reach

Peimin began with the idea that many people do not feel “bad enough” to seek help. Life still functions. Work gets done. The children are fed. But inside, something feels off.

“Mental health is something we all have, but there's so much hesitation around it. In many cultures and communities, there is this emphasis on resilience and self-reliance.” — Lin Peimin

We live in a culture that rewards pushing through. But what we often lose in the process is clarity, confidence, and our ability to connect with ourselves. Peimin shared that many only consider counselling when things are on the verge of crisis. But like preventive healthcare, the earlier you check in, the more grounded your next steps can be. Peimin wishes that more people see it as not about fixing a problem, but like having a guide for your inner world; someone to help you navigate your emotions, your relationships, your challenges, before they become a crisis.

It Is Not Just a “Venting Session”

Some avoid counselling because they imagine it is simply about talking. But Peimin pointed out that a well-held session is not just emotional release. It is structured. It is intentional. It helps you notice patterns you may be too close to see. A good counsellor does not hand you answers. They ask better questions. They reflect what they hear, so you can begin to see more clearly.

Still Unsure What You Would Say? That Is Okay.

This is one of the most common reasons people hesitate. They feel unsure about what to say or where to begin. That is completely normal. As Peimin shared, there is no script. There is no pressure to have it all figured out. Sometimes, just saying “I don’t know why I’m here” is the start of something honest. She likens seeking advice for mental and emotional wellbeing as normal as getting a software upgrade. We are so used to being productive that stillness can feel strange. But sitting in that discomfort, with support, is often what unlocks deeper clarity.

What If It Is Not a Crisis, Just a Pattern?

One of the most resonant moments came when Peimin offered this reframe:

“Think of mental health like dental health. No one says, ‘You’re going to the dentist? You must be terrible at brushing your teeth.’ Why do we say that about counselling?”

Mental check-ins are just as valid. Not because something is falling apart. But because you want to maintain what is already working, or shift what is quietly draining you. Counselling does not require chaos. Sometimes, the best time to seek support is when life looks stable, but inside, something still does not feel right.

So, What Is Holding You Back?

Guilt. Doubt. The belief that needing help means you are failing. But what if asking for help is one of the most mature things you can do? Peimin views that counselling is not just for crisis. It is about helping you grow into your best self, into zones of learning and growth that once felt impossible.

Change often begins quietly. Not with confidence, but with a willingness to look.

Watch the full conversation with Lin Peimin

If it’s been on your mind, consider this your quiet permission to begin. Not because you are failing but because you are ready.