Resistance will take you nowhere.
Emotions are an integral part of the human experience. They color our world, providing depth and meaning to our lives. Yet, there are times when we resist our emotions, hoping to keep them at bay. We may think that by doing so, we can maintain control and avoid discomfort. However, the truth is quite the opposite. In this blog, we'll explore why resisting your emotions is a futile endeavor and how embracing them can lead to personal growth and emotional well-being.
The Myth of Emotional Suppression
Society often encourages us to keep our emotions in check, especially the ones deemed "negative" or "unpleasant." We're told to be strong, not to cry, and always to put on a brave face. While this may seem like a coping strategy, it's more like a pressure cooker waiting to explode.
Physical and Mental Strain: Suppressing emotions can lead to physical tension, headaches, and mental stress. It's like holding a beachball underwater – it requires constant effort and causes strain.
Short-Lived Relief: When we suppress emotions, we might experience a temporary sense of control. However, these emotions don't disappear; they lurk beneath the surface, waiting for an opportunity to resurface.
Impact on Relationships: Emotional suppression can strain relationships. When we hide our true feelings, it becomes challenging to connect authentically with others.
The Power of Emotional Acceptance
Instead of resisting your emotions, consider embracing them as messengers. Each emotion carries valuable information about your inner world and the situations you encounter.
Self-Awareness: Embracing emotions fosters self-awareness. It allows you to recognise patterns, triggers, and areas of personal growth.
Healthy Coping: Acknowledging your emotions provides a healthier way to cope with them. It's like releasing the pressure valve on that emotional pressure cooker, allowing steam to escape.
Authenticity: Embracing your emotions allows you to be more authentic. Accepting your feelings allows you to communicate openly and honestly with others.
Practical Steps to Embrace Your Emotions
Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques to observe your emotions without judgment. At first, simply practice acknowledging what you're feeling without trying to repress it.
Journaling: Keep a journal to record your emotions, try to label them, stay curious, and observe how the energy feels, is it dense? or is it heavy? is it light? or does it have movement? also, record the events that trigger them. This can help you gain insights into your emotional landscape.
Feel them: As you get more and more comfortable, start approaching your emotions with the intent to feel them. At first, it is natural to have resistance, it is natural to feel strange, and the mind will rush in to put a silver lining around it, but this is where your practice of mindfulness will help you keep your eye on the prize.
Amplify them: This is going to be a new idea to get around, but once you get comfortable allowing the full spectrum of your emotions, once you are no longer resisting or afraid of them, allow yourself to drown in them, try to amplify by taking deep belly breaths, learn to sit in them for as long as you can.
Seek Support: Initially you might need some guidance, you might need some encouragement, similar to a personal trainer at the gym, Talk to a SDH practitioner, who can help you with this process. Sometimes it is just great to have someone help you go through this.
Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Remember that it's okay to feel a wide range of emotions, and they don't define your worth. It is also ok, to fail at first, it takes practice.
Resisting your emotions is like trying to stop a river from flowing; it's a futile endeavor that can lead to turmoil and inner conflict. Instead, choose the path of acceptance and embrace your emotions as valuable messengers. By doing so, you'll embark on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and authentic living. Remember, it's in accepting your emotions that you'll find the true power to navigate life's twists and turns with grace and wisdom.
