One of the hardest things sometimes to understand is our own thoughts and emotions. We all have them...messy... sloppy...joyful...painful...human emotions. But just because we have them, doesn't mean we always manage them well nor do we always understand them...especially when we're feeling overwhelmed by them.
Is this true for you? Have you ever been caught by your emotions? Have you ever lost control of them? Do you always know why you feel the way you do? Don't feel bad...it happens and it means you're human. Gaining control over our emotions comes with understanding them. Being able to notice and recognize our feelings as we are experiencing them are the first two steps, though not the easiest.
Being able to notice how you're feeling while you are in the midst of the "emotion" isn't always easy, especially if it's in the middle of an anxiety attack or PTSD episode. As you practice this exercise you will get better at being able to recognize your feelings but you need to take the time to notice them as you feel them.
Is this true for you? Have you ever been caught by your emotions? Have you ever lost control of them? Do you always know why you feel the way you do? Don't feel bad...it happens and it means you're human. Gaining control over our emotions comes with understanding them. Being able to notice and recognize our feelings as we are experiencing them are the first two steps, though not the easiest.
Being able to notice how you're feeling while you are in the midst of the "emotion" isn't always easy, especially if it's in the middle of an anxiety attack or PTSD episode. As you practice this exercise you will get better at being able to recognize your feelings but you need to take the time to notice them as you feel them.
Once you're able to notice and recognize your emotions...the next step is to name the emotion. Put your words to your feelings...what is it and how would you describe it? Once you're able to do this it will help when communicating your needs, feelings and wants to those around you. Our feelings are easier to talk about when we are able to understand them. When we start labeling our emotions though it's important not to get caught with the negative and get lost in it. Acceptance without getting lost is the next goal.
Once you're able to recognize your emotions, the next step is to accept them...whatever they may be...they're real and it's how you're feeling...don't deny that. It's important though that you take the time to understand what prompted you to feel this way. Are your emotions tied to something current and present or based in your past? This is important when understanding your emotions as we are often triggered by something in our past. If it is something from your past...acknowledge it but don't stay there. Once you can connect your emotions to life phases, you can move through them and leave them behind moving forward.
Now when you start exploring your emotions, it's important that you also give thought to how you respond to them. How is your breathing? How intense are your emotions for you to experience? What does it feel like for you physically? It's important to notice and take note of how your body responds to each of your emotions. Once you know how you respond...you can work on soothing and managing yourself through your emotions.
One of the hardest things we can do to ourselves is to deny our feelings...to not acknowledge them. We can't stop ourselves from our emotions...we are only human after all...but we can learn to accept them. Don't deny your emotions, but allow yourself the time to experience them...the good and the bad.
While you explore your emotions...do not pass judgment on yourself for feeling them either okay? Notice them...allow them...and them release them without blame. OH...and don't forget to breathe okay? We get all caught up sometimes and we forget to breathe...calm your breathing and know that you will survive your emotions and you can understand them too.
Once we understand our emotions...what causes us to feel the way we do...we can begin taking the steps to managing them better moving forward. We can't avoid them...we are human and life happens...but we can learn not to let our emotions get the best of us.
This will take practice and there will be still be days too when your emotions will get the better of you but don't give up and don't beat yourself up either okay? YOU ARE ONLY HUMAN and that means you will have days when your emotions get the better of you. With more practice though you will be able to gain control as you gain an understanding.
Take good care of you and don't give up!
Once you're able to recognize your emotions, the next step is to accept them...whatever they may be...they're real and it's how you're feeling...don't deny that. It's important though that you take the time to understand what prompted you to feel this way. Are your emotions tied to something current and present or based in your past? This is important when understanding your emotions as we are often triggered by something in our past. If it is something from your past...acknowledge it but don't stay there. Once you can connect your emotions to life phases, you can move through them and leave them behind moving forward.
Now when you start exploring your emotions, it's important that you also give thought to how you respond to them. How is your breathing? How intense are your emotions for you to experience? What does it feel like for you physically? It's important to notice and take note of how your body responds to each of your emotions. Once you know how you respond...you can work on soothing and managing yourself through your emotions.
One of the hardest things we can do to ourselves is to deny our feelings...to not acknowledge them. We can't stop ourselves from our emotions...we are only human after all...but we can learn to accept them. Don't deny your emotions, but allow yourself the time to experience them...the good and the bad.
While you explore your emotions...do not pass judgment on yourself for feeling them either okay? Notice them...allow them...and them release them without blame. OH...and don't forget to breathe okay? We get all caught up sometimes and we forget to breathe...calm your breathing and know that you will survive your emotions and you can understand them too.
Once we understand our emotions...what causes us to feel the way we do...we can begin taking the steps to managing them better moving forward. We can't avoid them...we are human and life happens...but we can learn not to let our emotions get the best of us.
This will take practice and there will be still be days too when your emotions will get the better of you but don't give up and don't beat yourself up either okay? YOU ARE ONLY HUMAN and that means you will have days when your emotions get the better of you. With more practice though you will be able to gain control as you gain an understanding.
Take good care of you and don't give up!
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