I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how people think you have to be positive all the time. That’s a lovely sentiment, but it doesn’t leave room for you to be FULLY HUMAN.
To be human means to experience a range of emotions.
To try and pretend everything is okay can be a form of denial.
There are certainly times when you need to change the story in your head. Totally! That’s where Byron Katie’s work is so helpful.
But there needs to be more flexibility with this whole push for positivity.
Have you denied yourself anger, pain, fear? Have you resisted it until it becomes bigger or manifests in your body?
When an emotion arises, instead of pushing it away, breathe into it and let it BE. Don’t do anything and give it space.
Feelings (if not shoved into a corner) usually dissipate pretty quickly. It’s when we resist them that things often build up. We build up resentment, anger, bitterness, pain, and so much more.
Even creating a story in our head about the situation is a form of resistance. Instead of really sinking into the emotion, there’s this element of being stuck in your head.
I should know. I’ve been the poster girl for resisting emotions, letting them simmer, and then wondering what the heck happened later.
Lately though, I’ve made a pact with myself to feel my emotions and not get hung up on trying to correct them. There is nothing wrong with having a “negative” emotion or even a “positive” emotion. Those are just labels.
What’s more important is to honor feelings. Perhaps I need to be in stillness with them. Or maybe I need to walk or dance it out.
I can certainly tell myself different thoughts to help the situation, but I want to make sure that I honor all of me.
What about you? Where do you need to let yourself FEEL FULLY your emotions?