Feeling Your Feelings

Being strong doesn’t mean not feeling sad or crying. Being brave doesn’t mean not feeling scared or nervous. Being a good person doesn’t mean not feeling irritated or angry. It takes courage to be honest with ourselves and feel our emotions. It takes strength.

Feelings are mostly involuntary. We enjoy some and really dislike others. Feelings are not facts, so they can’t be debated. Some feelings remind us that we have healing to do from something in the past, some are about what’s happening right now, and some are about the future.

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell when or where our feelings are coming from. When you think you are feeling something ‘for no reason’……that just means the reason (the when or where the feelings are coming from) isn’t clear to you. That’s alright. You still get to feel it and be kind to yourself.

It’s ok to feel all of your feelings. You can feel and express sad, angry, and frustrated feelings without hurting anyone. You can learn to express love and affection toward others and yourself even if you aren’t used to doing that.

Feel your feelings. Feelings themselves are not dangerous, but the things we do to avoid, stop, or project them on to others can be. Feelings do not last forever.

Writing your feelings down and being your own compassionate listener can be a safe and effective way for some people to process their feelings.

Crying and laughing is our body’s natural way of helping us process our feelings - especially when words do not suffice. It’s ok to cry and laugh when you have the urge and are in a safe enough place to do so.

Any type of art, whether you consider yourself an artist or not, can help us express things in ways that words cannot.

Taking slow breaths can help you get centered and re-connect with yourself. This can also give you time to notice what your feelings are and let them just be vs taking impulsive action based on a feeling.

Being kind to yourself is always an option. The more often you take time to feel, accept, and process your feelings, the easier it will become. It will also get easier to make healthy decisions about your life and have satisfying relationships with other people.