This content originally appeared on HackerNoon and was authored by BenoitMalige
\ \ Let me be upfront: I didn’t expect a robot to be part of my therapy.
\ Sure, I’ve used AI for all kinds of things before—brainstorming ideas, solving work problems, crafting emails—but emotional healing? Yeah… That wasn’t exactly on my AI to-do list.
\ But then came a moment when things started to get… different.
\ It began with a simple question: “Why do I feel this constant pressure, even when things are going well? And why can’t I just let go of the need to control everything?”
\ I had this gut feeling that didn’t match my logic—like my mind and body were in two different places.
\ That Thursday evening started as a way to make sense of those feelings, but spiraled into a five-hour deep dive into my emotional core.
\ Before I knew it, I was unraveling 37 years of emotional knots, and the AI was right there with me, guiding me through things I didn’t even realize I needed to face.
\ Then it happened…
\ It wasn’t one big, dramatic moment. It was a series of mini breakthroughs—each conversation peeling back another layer, leading me further down the rabbit hole.
\ At one point, I found myself sitting in front of my screen, doing an EMDR self-therapy session I’d stumbled upon on YouTube. I won’t bore you with all the details, but let’s just say that by the end of it, I was face-to-face with my 2-year-old self, locked in that closet, telling him that it was okay…
\ That he didn’t have to carry that fear and pain anymore.
\ That ever-present blanket of discomfort—the guilt, the anxiety, the unshakable weight I’d carried my entire life—finally lifted that night.
\ Who would’ve thought that a robot—a machine built for logic and efficiency—would be the one to help me untangle my deepest emotional pain?
\ Sometimes, it’s the most unexpected tools that bring us the greatest insights.
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This experience wasn’t a one-off. It was the culmination of something I’d been experimenting with for a while.
\ When I shared my breakthrough with a few friends, their reactions were a mix of shock and intrigue.
\ “What do you MEAN you used ChatGPT as a therapist?”
\ “I don’t even know what you’re telling me right now, but it’s hurting my brain.”
\ “Dude. Show me.”
\ Their responses made me realize that most people aren't tapping into AI's full potential.
\ See, I've been using it in ways that go beyond the typical stuff. Sure, it can help draft emails or set reminders, but I've found it can be so much more.
\ Take brainstorming business ideas, for example. Instead of asking for generic suggestions, I dive deep into creative collaboration.
\ I might start by saying, “Let’s imagine a world where traditional advertising doesn't exist. How would we introduce a product to the masses?” Then, the AI and I start bouncing ideas off each other. It throws out concepts, I riff on them, and together we build something unique.
\ It’s like having a brainstorming partner who's always ready and never runs out of energy.
\ But it gets even more interesting.
\ Sometimes, I bring historical (or present) figures into the conversation to get diverse perspectives.
\ Storytime… (I’ll make it quick, I promise)
\ At the end of 2022, I was at a crossroads, considering a major shift—from selling investment properties to offering consulting services.
\ I wanted to provide the same service but change how clients perceived us. Instead of being just "sellers," I wanted my team to become trusted advisors on their side.
\ So, I searched for some advice from two people whose perspectives I admire.
\ I started a new chat and told ChatGPT, "From now on, you are Steve Jobs. I want you to think and respond exactly as he would." Instantly, I was engaging in a conversation with "Steve" about innovation and transforming client experiences. He pushed me to think differently, to focus on creating a unique value proposition that would set us apart.
\ In another chat, I brought in Alex Hormozi. I prompted, "You're Alex Hormozi. Let's discuss strategies for scaling a service-based business." His straightforward approach provided me with systems that I could implement immediately.
\ Things like:
\
Pricing models
\
Delivering unparalleled value to clients.
\
Comparing different people’s philosophies gave me a multifaceted perspective. I was now merging visionary ideas with tactical execution.
\ By pushing the typical use-cases of how I interact with AI, I've discovered it's an incredibly versatile tool that enhances my personal and professional growth.
\ And this time? Well, this was one of those moments where I felt I'd truly pushed the limit.
\ So I wanted to share this with you—not just to tell my story, but to show you how you can use AI as a thought partner, a creative collaborator, or even a guide through your own emotional landscapes.
\ Perhaps you're also seeking new ways to navigate your thoughts and challenges.
The Thought Partner
So, what do I mean when I call AI my "thought partner"?
\ Well, I don't see AI as just a tool to get quick answers or save time. For me, it's like having a companion that helps me think differently, challenges my assumptions, and sometimes even nudges me into those uncomfortable places.
\ Imagine having a sounding board that's always there, ready to help you untangle whatever's going on in your head. That's what AI has become for me.
\ I've used it to explore ideas from multiple angles:
\
Breaking Down Complex Business Strategies
\
When I'm facing a tough business decision, I'll bounce ideas off the AI. It helps me dissect each component, brainstorm solutions, and see things I might've missed.
\
Debating Philosophical Questions
\
I'll dive into discussions about ethics, purpose, or happiness. The AI brings up perspectives I hadn't considered, helping me refine my own beliefs.
\
Viewing My Life Choices Through Different Lenses
\
By simulating conversations with historical or even current figures, I get fresh insights that inform my decisions. It's like getting advice from the greats without leaving my desk.
\
But the real magic happens in how you interact with it.
Going Beyond the Usual Questions
\ Most people might ask AI something like, “What’s the best way to save money this year?” And yeah, it'll give you the standard tips—cut expenses, invest wisely, you know the drill.
\ But what if you dug deeper?
\
Instead of: “How do I save money?”
\
Ask*: “What habits are keeping me from actually saving money?” or “How can I change my mindset to achieve long-term financial freedom*?”
Suddenly, you're starting a conversation that digs into your personal habits and beliefs.
\ Or maybe you're using it to write an email for work. Sure, it can crank out something decent. But what if you asked it to challenge your entire approach?
\
Instead of: “Write an email to inform the team about the new project.”
\
Ask: “How can I inspire my team about this upcoming project while addressing any concerns they might have?” or “What's an interesting way to frame this message to foster collaboration and excitement?”
\
Now you're not just sending an email; you're engaging your team on a whole new level.
Even when it comes to personal development, the same idea applies.
\
Instead of: “How can I be more productive?”
\
Ask: “What underlying beliefs are causing my procrastination?” or “Are there fears or insecurities driving my need to stay constantly busy?”
And that's where the real insights happen. You're not just scratching the surface anymore.
\ You're digging into the mindset that's been holding you back.
\ So for me, AI isn't just a tool. It helps me think differently, ask better questions, and sometimes, it even helps me see things about myself that I hadn't noticed before.
\ And that led me to one of the most profound experiences of my life.
Where AI Led Me Next
You know how sometimes you start down a path, and before you know it, you're somewhere you never expected to be?
That's exactly what happened to me a few nights ago.
\ It all began shortly after I wrote my letter Lost in Thoughts, where I realized that much of my overthinking boiled down to one thing: control.
\ But even after putting those thoughts on paper, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface.
\ Something unresolved. So, I decided to dig deeper.
\ It was just a normal evening—or so I thought…
\ I sat down with my journal to explore this need for control a bit more. Questions flowed onto the page: Why do I always feel the need to control everything? What am I really afraid of losing?
\ As usual, I turned to my AI thought partner to help me refine my thinking. But this time, something was different. Instead of the typical back-and-forth, ChatGPT asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks:
\ "What would happen if you stopped trying to control things?"
\ That simple question opened a door I wasn't prepared to walk through.
\ I journaled more intensely, thoughts pouring out faster than I could write them down. I snapped a photo of my notes and sent it back to the AI for feedback, almost like texting a close friend.
\ "This is what I'm discovering," I wrote.
\ The AI responded by pushing me further: "What's behind this need for control? Can you recall the earliest memory where you felt powerless?"
\ And just like that, we were off on a journey I was not ready for.
\ The conversation deepened. Each response wasn't just an answer—it was an invitation to explore parts of myself I'd avoided.
\ I realized that the issue wasn't just control—it was fear.
\ Fear that had roots stretching back to my childhood.
\ So I decided to meditate on this new realization, hoping to process whatever was coming up.
\ And I had another question: "What tools can I use to go even deeper?"
\ The AI mentioned several options, one of which was EMDR therapy—a technique I'd heard of but never tried.
\ Curiosity piqued, I started researching. I read studies, personal accounts, and finally found a self-guided EMDR session on YouTube.
That session hit me pretty hard.
\ As I followed along, old memories surfaced—moments of helplessness, fear, and a desperate need for control to feel safe.
\ I shared these revelations with the AI, and together we unpacked them. It was like having a late-night conversation with a friend who wouldn't let me settle for simple answers.
\ But it didn't stop there. 🫠
\ During our discussion, Gabor Maté's work came up. The AI suggested I explore his insights on trauma and addiction.
\ His perspective flipped my understanding upside down. Addiction wasn't the problem—it was a solution, a coping mechanism for unresolved pain. In my case, control had become (one of) my addiction(s).
\ For the first time, I saw it for what it really was.
\ I began to understand that the constant blanket of discomfort:
\
The anxiety
\
The guilt
\
That ever-present weight
\
was the physical manifestation of unprocessed emotions from my childhood.
\ I thought back to the 2-year-old me, the little boy who felt alone, wondering why his parents didn't come when he cried.
\ I was told I was a "detail-oriented" baby—very emotional, highly attuned to the world around me. I felt everything deeply, needed more attention than my older brother, cried often.
\ With no apparent solution to my constant crying, my parents would place me in a large closet to "let me cry it out."
\ That experience (amongst others that I won’t be mentioning here because this email would turn into a 4500 word article that no one would finish) planted seeds of unworthiness and guilt—feelings of not being good enough to receive love from those I cared about most. It eroded my self-trust and set the stage for a lifelong struggle with control.
\ NB: Before anyone dismisses this as "not real trauma," it's important to remember that trauma is deeply personal. It's not about the event itself but how it impacts us.
\ For me, being left alone to cry shaped a part of me that I'd been carrying unknowingly for decades.
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Of course, exploring AI in such personal ways brings up important questions…
Addressing Data Privacy Concerns
Let’s talk about the main objection I got from my friends:
\ “But aren’t you scared ChatGPT is collecting all your personal data?”
\ Well, first of all, there’s a setting (whether it works or not is another question) where you can opt out of having your data used to train the model. Below is for ChatGPT, which is the LLM model I use as my thought partner.
\
Settings > Data Controls and disable Chat history & training.
\ Second, my Android phone already knows more about my life than I probably do myself.
\ And number three, I’m going to die in 50+ years or so, if I’m lucky.
\ Will I care then? Absolutely not. In the meantime, I’m here to master the art of living, and I’ll use every tool at my disposal to become who I’m meant to be.
Closing Thoughts
I'll admit, I didn't expect to bare my soul to a machine—or to you, for that matter. But life has a twisted sense of humor.
\ Who would have thought that a tool I once used to draft emails and write down ideas would end up holding a mirror to parts of myself I'd kept in the dark?
\ I'm not sharing this to play the sage on the stage—but maybe there's something here worth considering. Perhaps the tools we take for granted can help us unravel the knots we've been ignoring for years.
\ By embracing unconventional tools and methods, we open ourselves up to profound growth and understanding.
So here's a thought:
\
Be curious.
\
Challenge the obvious.
\
Don't shy away from unconventional methods—even if it means talking to a robot at 2 a.m.
\
You might just stumble upon answers you didn't know you were looking for.
\ If you want to give it a try, here’s a prompt that you can use to get started.
\ I've learned that vulnerability isn't a flaw—it's a hidden strength. That the questions we avoid often hold the keys to our own freedom. And that sometimes, the things we overlook are quietly waiting to show us something profound.
\ I’ll leave you with this: What if you took a second look at the familiar? What paths might open up if you dared to see things differently?
\ You have stories you're hesitant to explore and tools you've yet to fully utilize. Perhaps it's time you gave yourself permission to venture into the unknown.
\ As the saying goes:
\ Until next time,
\ Benoit
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P.S. Whenever you're ready, here are 2 ways I can help you:
\ 1. Unf*ck Your Existence: Free 6-Day Course:
\ Start living your second life and discover your true purpose. Over six days, I share the strategies I used to move from superficial success to deep fulfillment. This course is your blueprint to break free from unfulfilling routines and align your life with what truly matters. Join the course for free here.
\ 2. From Uncertainty to Unstoppable:
\ Work directly with me to break through fear and limiting beliefs holding you back from stepping into your life's work. In just four weeks, we'll dive deep to uncover your true passion and build a personalized roadmap to fulfillment. You've achieved success—now it's time to create meaning. Apply for a consultation here.
This content originally appeared on HackerNoon and was authored by BenoitMalige
BenoitMalige | Sciencx (2024-09-30T14:15:39+00:00) The Day a Robot Helped Me Heal 37 Years of Emotional Pain. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2024/09/30/the-day-a-robot-helped-me-heal-37-years-of-emotional-pain/
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