We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.
-Brene Brown
Have you ever noticed that what’s showing up for you at a surface level is usually a symptom of something deeper that’s going on?
Maybe you’re angry on the surface, but underneath the anger you’re actually grieving a loss in your life.
Maybe you’re trying to do life perfectly, but underneath the perfectionism are struggles with self-love, worthiness, being enough, etc.
Maybe you’re numbing your feelings and emotions by watching Netflix marathons or mindlessly scrolling on social media, but underneath these behaviors you’re really feeling sad, lonely and disconnected from others.
So, what do you need to do to feel better?
The process work in these scenarios is actually done at the deeper level. That’s where you can grieve and feel all these deeper feelings, and in doing so, you can complete the stress cycle, release the emotions and ultimately feel better.
Also remember throughout this process that you can feel a myriad of seemingly different feelings and emotions all at the same time.
I’m sending lots of love and support your way as you work through and process these deeper feelings and emotions in your own life.
**Here are some things to keep in mind:
It often takes silence and calm to figure out what’s going on at a deeper level. Deeper struggles in mom life may include:
- Grief and loss struggles
- Not feeling worthy
- Struggling to find self-love and self-compassion
- Loneliness
- Not feeling like you’re enough
- Sadness
- Emotional disconnection from others
What else would you add here?
Possible reasons why we struggle with feeling our feelings:
- We were taught that some feelings are okay and other are not
- It can deplete us of energy
- We’re afraid we might stay in the difficult feelings forever
- We don’t trust that feelings our feelings will complete the stress cycle and actually make us feel better
- Fear that others will judge or criticize our “big emotions”
- Not having others model this behavior so it feels very foreign to us
What else would you add to this list?
Self-care ideas for when you’re struggling emotionally:
- Find a great therapist to work with moving forward
- Write in a journal to process your feelings
- Do a quiet or guided meditation
- Create a helpful affirmation like “be still” or “be here now”
- Exercise, stretch and move your body daily
- Connect with loved ones in person or online
- Get enough sleep for your body
What other self-care ideas are helpful to you in times of emotional struggle in your own life?
