This is especially true for child abuse survivors. We grew up unprotected, watching violence, listening to violence, and experiencing violence. The only way to survive this type of toxic environment was to shut down any awareness of the raging emotions inside us. It wasn’t safe to express our emotions. It wasn’t safe to talk about our emotions. It wasn’t safe.
When I began my healing journey, I had no idea how deeply I had suppressed all my emotions. I was completely unaware of the repressed sadness, grief, outrage, and anger festering inside me.
As my awareness grew, I could see how shame had crippled almost every area of my life. For example, I’ll never forget the time I was arguing with my husband. At one point I was no longer making sense. All I cared about was being right. Suddenly, I realized this was shame rearing its ugly head. I stopped arguing and told my husband he was right. And he was.
Practice feeling your emotions by becoming aware of your body. That’s the best place to start.
Scan your body. Do you feel discomfort, tightness, or stress anywhere? Where is it in your body? Focus on the emotion in that area until you can name it. Then feel it.
Is this emotion a response to something that just happened? Or is it a response to a situation from the past? Emotions from the past are stored as trapped energy in the body. They need to be acknowledged and released by gently allowing them to move through you. Let them go.
Make peace with your emotions. Practice finding, feeling, and releasing them in a healthy way. Soon you’ll discover a wonderful truth: your emotions are your friends.
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Is it difficult for you to feel all of your emotions? Is the thought of doing this just too overwhelming to consider? If so, I can help! Follow (this link) or call 619-889-6366 to reserve a one-hour coaching session with me ($100). Let me help you heal your life.
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