The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved, women who live bravely, both tender and fierce.
-Amy Tenney
I’m writing this the day after International Women’s Day, so strong women have been on my mind today. And, one of the reasons why I also love this quote! So often in society today, showing our feelings and emotions is still considered a sign of weakness. Which is pretty sad in my humble opinion.
I hope that as strong women, we can continue to work towards changing this stigma. It’s reminding ourselves and others that feeling your feelings is actually a sign of strength. It’s showing others that you have feelings and emotions, also a sign of vulnerability and strength at the same time. It’s doing your own work in therapy, another huge sign of inner strength in my humble opinion.
Here’s what’s to come in this blog: feelings and emotions check in questions to use on yourself and others, places where you may feel and carry your feelings and emotions in your body, and wrapping up with the mental load of motherhood which often leads to heightened feelings and emotions. I hope some of this is helpful to you! Enjoy!
Here are some feelings and emotions check in questions (using the four primary feelings) to use on yourself or with others:
- What’s something that made you feel happy today?
- What’s something that made you feel sad today?
- What’s something that made you feel mad today? (And can you identify any feelings and emotions that may be underneath the anger you’re currently feeling like grief?)
- What’s something that made you feel scared today?
- What was the best part of your day?
What other feelings would you add here? Guilt or shame? Loneliness or feeling alone?
Where do you feel and carry your emotions in your body?
- Head- pressure or headaches?
- Neck- tightness?
- Chest- pressure?
- Hands- shaking or clenched?
- Feet- restlessness?
- Jaw- clenching?
- Shoulders- tightness?
- Back- pain?
- Stomach- Butterflies?
- Legs- restlessness?
Or some other place? Or some other sensation in these areas of your body related to your feelings?
The mental load of motherhood:
- Appointments
- School schedules
- Family events
- Play dates
- Vitamins
- House cleaning
- Planning birthday parties
- Home maintenance
- The emotional wellbeing of the household
- Decorating
- The mental wellbeing of the household
- Shopping
- Lawn care
- Exercise
- Hydration
- Medications
- Healthy meals
- Planning drop offs and pick ups
- Home organization
- The spiritual wellbeing of the household
What else would you add to this list?
If you’re struggling right now, know that you’re not alone. Many of us struggle to feel our feelings day in and day out. This can also be exacerbated if you’re a mom carrying the mental load of motherhood with you everywhere you go. If you could use more help and support in your life today, please reach out to your doctor or a therapist in your area (if you don’t already have one). Know that I’m thinking of you and sending lots of love and compassion your way!
