Are you like me? Do you hate when someone tells you to just think positively?
I’ve always tended to look at the glass as half empty rather than half full, and I realize that’s a problem. But I also think you can’t “pretend” your negative feelings away.
Sometimes our feelings are appropriate for the events going on in our lives. If we lose someone, we’re allowed to hurt. If we hurt someone, we’re allowed to feel guilty. If we make a mistake, we’re allowed to feel regretful.
Feelings are part of life. We can’t avoid them by resisting. The less you resist, the faster they will pass, and the less damage they will leave behind.
That means feeling the pain. It means sitting in the discomfort, and WAITING before acting.
Negative feelings can be an indication that you need to set boundaries, learn to say no more often, or take better care of yourself. But sometimes a feeling is just a reminder that you’re human, and humans hurt. THE KEY is to not use those feelings as an excuse to hurt others or YOURSELF.
In my experience working with women who struggle with emotional eating, it’s amazing to watch the transformation as they start feeling their feelings instead of covering them with food. There’s a small moment of struggle where everyone wants to turn back, but it’s so worth it to keep pushing forward.
Take a look at your feelings today and see if you can identify the message they have for you.
