About

This website was created by entrepreneur, blogger and all-around amateur psychologist Georges-Henri Betbeze. It was borne out of a life-long longing for meaning — and an impromptu visit with a psychiatrist…

In the summer of 2000, I was an 18-year-old Parisian college freshman feeling very stuck in his arguably young life. And so I did what anyone would do: I went to see a psychiatrist friend of my parents. I described my issues and frustrations in great detail, hoping that the doctor would be able to provide a helpful answer to guide me out of my negative thoughts. The psychiatrist listened calmly and, when I was finished, uttered a simple: “There is nothing wrong with you”.

Understandably, that answer took me aback: I felt everything but fine, and was hoping for concrete help from the doctor, a quick fix to feel better. Instead, all I got was an intimation that my perceived issues were nonexistent or, rather, that they were nowhere near as bad as I thought they were. It took me years (decades?) to make sense of that reaction.

What the psychiatrist meant was that I didn’t have any real issue, nothing that remotely required therapy or medication. What I felt instead was a rather common state of unease, undecidedness at the overwhelming possibilities of life and a corresponding inability to take a step further. While the doctor was right — there was indeed nothing wrong with me — I nevertheless didn’t feel fine for many years after that, some might say ever (and they are related to me).

Eventually, I came to develop a theory to help people who are fine but do not feel fine, the many (all?) of us who are uncertain about what to do next at any given point in their life. Based on the notions of positivity, progress and acceptance of one’s own limitations, the theory aims to help all of us face life just a little better.

The moral of this story is twofold:

  1. We are not therapists of any kind
    Let it be very clear: if you seek professional help to discuss personal issues you may be facing, this is not the place. There are amazing professionals, such as the aforementioned psychiatrist, that do a wonderful job helping people in their time of need. To each their own.

  2. Most people don’t need therapists
    The vast majority of people out there do not necessarily need medical professionals to help with whatever question they may be asking themselves at any given moment. It still may be useful, mind you, but it is not a requirement. What is key, however, is finding the right — mental — space to start answering some of life’s bigger questions. Like McDonald’s or Burger King.

And that’s where we come in. Hopefully.