WMHD: Feeling Your Feelings

It’s World Mental Health Day (WMHD)! In honor of today, let’s celebrate all of life’s emotions, even the “bad” ones. Here’s a quick little reframe to help support you and your mental health.

When Feelings ARE the Problem

A lot of clients see me and say, “My feelings ARE the problem! I want to get rid of them.” To which I’d argue, your feelings aren’t the problem, your reaction to it is. Your response to your emotions is where the distress lies.

The Role of Emotions

Every emotion plays a role and gives us information. They are neither good nor bad. They just are. They tell us when we’re upset, when a boundary was crossed, when things didn’t go our way, when we’re having a good time, when we’re having a bad day, etc. Our inclination is to push away the feelings we don’t enjoy and cling to the ones we do, but the things we resist tend to persist. Instead of “omg I’m anxious and scared again. How annoying. How can I get rid of it?”, try a more neutral response like “Alright, I’m feeling anxious. I don’t like it, but that’s okay.” Emotions are part of human nature and we need to feel the good with the bad. Try focusing on your reaction to the authentic emotions and see if you can meet your feelings with a little more compassion. In doing so, you also give yourself a little more kindness too.

World Mental Health Day

So this World Mental Health day, make space for all your emotions. They all have a place in your life. Feeling your feelings is a strength. Feelings your feelings is how we process. And feeling your feelings is how we move forward :)

HAPPY WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY!

In honor of World Mental Health day, here is a silly collage of me as emotions.