Emotions are Energy
Emotions are wells of energy. They carry vital information, telling us about ourselves. Sometimes emotions are overwhelming and this onslaught of energy can be scary and intimidating, leading to a suppressive or denying response. Yet, when emotions are ignored they can fester and become catalysts for dis-ease. Every emotion, whether pleasurable or uncomfortable, is a signal. Anger may be telling us that a boundary has been violated, sadness may be calling our attention to a wound, joy may be reminding us of the abundance of life. Every emotion is valid and worth experiencing, for they each contribute to the richness of life and the deepening of self knowledge.
How one responds and processes emotions determines whether the emotional experience cultivates health versus dis-ease. Emotions are important, however they are transitory phenomena, to remain in an emotional state for too long can lead to negative consequences like depression; likewise, to brush past an emotion or dissociate from it can lead to unhealthy outcomes, such as emotional numbness. It is every persons responsibility to learn how to regulate and move through emotions. This process can become sticky and complicated when trauma is involved, for emotions can be caught in a trauma web and become intolerable. Therapy is helpful in these types of situations, for having a companion alongside you while untangling the trauma wounds can foster a sense of safety and security. A therapist provides a haven to return to when emotions overwhelm the system.
Discovering what helps you process and regulate your emotions will help facilitate a life that is fluid and evolving. Every individual will resonate differently with emotional processing practices and it is important to find what serves your needs best. For myself, I know that when I am feeling a lot, whether despair, ecstasy or rage, going into nature alone or with my animal companions help me to feel the depths of the emotion and then find my way back to a grounded center. Writing and taking a bath can also help me regulate and understand the meaning behind my emotions. What are the practices that help you find the bottom of an emotion and ride the wave of feeling back to center?
Practice: Create a list of the techniques that help you experience your emotions safely. Are there specific settings that cultivate emotional safety? Are there certain coping skills that allow you to access and move through an emotional state? Develop a tool box of skills for emotional processing that you can utilize in the moment of big and small emotional experiences.
Challenge: Identify which emotions feel intimidating to you. Notice what it is about these emotional expressions that trigger a sense of overwhelm or make you feel unsafe. Is there a stigma against these emotions? Do you lack a healthy way of expressing these emotions? Practice implementing a non-judgmental attitude towards these emotions, which in turn will help you develop self compassion towards your humanity.
