The Watch That Went in the Microwave

I’m embarrassed to tell you this, but one time in 3rd grade, my watch got wet. I didn’t want to wear a soggy watch, so I decided to microwave it to dry it off. Terrible idea. Instead of fixing my small problem, I broke the watch completely.

I was only 8 years old, so I give myself some grace. But the truth is—we’ve all tried poor solutions for our problems before!

When Our Solutions Don’t Match Our Problems

Problems can trigger the downstairs, irrational part of our brain. No wonder our solutions don’t always fit.

Ever seen a child frustrated with a tablet that won’t work—and they throw it across the room? (Not exactly a fix.) Adults do it too. My boys and I once saw an NFL player smash an iPad on the sidelines after a bad play. If the problem is losing a game, breaking technology is not the solution.

Hilarious (But Useless) Solutions

Sometimes, for fun, when my kids lose something, I’ll “call” for it.
“Here backpack! Come here backpack!”
It always gets laughs, but obviously, backpacks don’t come when you call them. The better solution? Walking around the house and actually looking.

The same goes for life: if you want closeness and connection, yelling probably isn’t the solution. If your pants feel too tight, drowning your sorrows in ice cream might feel good temporarily—but it won’t solve the problem. (There’s always room for ice cream, but not as a coping strategy!)

How to Rethink Your Solutions

Here’s my challenge:

1. Think about your persistent problems.

2. Reflect on the solutions you’ve tried.

3. Ask: Are they effective, or just reactive?

If your solutions haven’t worked, it may be time to get creative, ask for help, and even spend time praying for clarity.

Counseling Helps You Find Real Solutions

Here’s the good news: many problems come with solutions.

• Spilled chocolate milk → clean it up.

• Homework piling up → work through it step by step.

• 83 emails → start with the first one.

• Test anxiety → strategies exist that really help.

Counseling provides a space to identify what’s really going on, find solutions that work, and help you actually implement them.

Final Thoughts: A Problem with a Solution

One of my favorite sayings is: “This is a problem with a solution.”

Whether it’s a mess, a fear, or a challenge, you don’t have to face it with the wrong tools. With the right mindset—and sometimes with professional help—you can shift from reacting to solving.

At Healing Hearts Counseling in Denham Springs, we believe most challenges are problems with solutions. Our psychiatric nurse practitioner provides medication management, and our team of qualified counselors helps children, teens, and adults discover healthier ways forward. Learn more about our team here.”