Embrace Your Emotions: Why Going Into Your Feelings is the Path to Healing

In a world that often encourages us to push away discomfort, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to rid ourselves of unpleasant emotions. But what if the key to emotional well-being isn’t in resisting these feelings, but in embracing them?

The Myth of Emotional Suppression: Many of us have been conditioned to believe that emotions like sadness, anger, or anxiety are problems to be fixed. We’re told to “cheer up” or “think positive,” leading us to suppress what we’re truly feeling. This approach, while well-intentioned, isn’t helpful. Suppressing emotions can lead to them resurfacing later, sometimes even stronger than before, and research shows they can end up in the body creating pain, problems and even dis-ease.

The Power of Going With or Into Emotions: Instead of resisting, consider this: what if you allowed yourself to fully experience your emotions? By going with the feeling—letting it flow through you—or going into it—exploring it deeply—you may find that the emotion loses its grip on you. Emotions are like waves; they rise, peak, and eventually recede. By riding the wave instead of fighting it, you allow the emotion to pass naturally.

Practical Steps to Embrace Your Emotions:

1. Acknowledge the Emotion: Start by naming what you’re feeling. Simply saying, “I feel sad” or “I’m angry” can validate your experience.
2. Sit With It: Find a quiet space to sit with your emotion. Notice where you feel it in your body. Is your chest tight? Is your stomach in knots?
3. Breathe: Focus on your breath. Deep, slow breathing can help you stay grounded as you experience the emotion.
4. Get Curious with Metaphor: Drop into your body and notice where you’re feeling it. What is it like? Does it have a color? A shape? A temperature? A texture? If you feel like you can’t find it, use your imagination and make it up.
5. Journal: Write about your feelings. Journaling can be a powerful way to explore what’s going on inside.
6. Seek Support: Sometimes, emotions can be overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a friend, coach, therapist, or support group.

The next time you feel a strong emotion, remember that it’s okay to feel it. Instead of trying to push it away, go with it or go into it. By embracing your emotions, you’re allowing yourself to heal and grow in ways you never thought possible.

Photo by Jenny Marvin on Unsplash