Our emotions represent our physiological states and are subconsciously manifested. Our feelings are expressions of our emotions and are triggered by thoughts and beliefs.
Too many of us were taught that certain emotions were negative and that we should avoid them. We have been expected to be calm and easygoing, even during horrible periods of our lives. We were taught to see the blessings in everything to negate the stuff that causes us conflict and pain. As wonderful as being happy is, it is not the only feeling we experience, and there is a reason for that. Our emotions allow us to recognize what is painful and unhealthy for us. The more we instruct our mind to only turn to the happiness channel, the less we genuinely heal because minimizing and repressing what we feel does not go away but instead gets buried in our unconscious.
Understanding the message behind your emotional reactions is essential for inner calm and balance. In our unconscious, the emotional pile-up of unresolved events creates a mindset that contributes to patterns and behaviors that eventually sabotage us. Repressed feelings fester, and soon we become unbalanced due to the overload.
Our emotions and feelings represent:
- Fear – allows us to recognize patterns that may be dangerous to our well-being. Unchecked fears become roadblocks, so we need to understand them better.
- Anger – a reaction to feeling mistreated and manipulated. However, unchecked anger does eventually rob us of ever experiencing peace.
- Jealous –When we experience jealousy, we do so because we assume others are better and that we lack what it takes to be loved
- Irritability is expressed when we are annoyed by situations we view as disturbing the balance and peace of our lives. Unchecked irritability can contribute to depression as well as angry outbursts.
- Depression – When we see ourselves as doomed and forever stuck in situations, we will experience depression. This emotional state can be chronic and prevents us from thriving.
- Anxiety – This is an emotional reaction to situations that we perceive as beyond our scope of coping. Anxiety represents the belief we are incapable of managing conflicts since we have adopted the view that we are powerless. Unmanaged anxiety will keep us stuck in a loop of powerlessness and vulnerability.
- Sadness– a reaction to events or situations that cause distress and deep hurt. It is normal to experience this when faced with a loss. However, it only becomes an issue when it keeps us emotionally paralyzed.
- Grief – is the state of emotional distress and emptiness that occurs after losing a loved one or status in our lives. It can be brief or long-term in its duration. Unresolved grief can block us from living a full life.
I do not believe in telling folks how to feel or what emotional state is best. However, I do encourage folks to keep things balanced. Our emotions are unconscious interpreters of our world, and being stuck in one emotional state prevents us from fully experiencing other aspects.
We are not designed to only experience happiness but a range of emotional realities. We do not need to walk around being angry, fearful, or zombie-like because we are stuck. Instead, learn to interpret and understand your emotional reactions to living a full life.
Copyright ©2022. R. Castro.
Holistic Coaching 