Ever find yourself thinking... "Why can't I stop feeling this way?"

We've all been there.

Over the years, I've found a simple exercise that helps me understand why  I'm feeling the way I do and, more importantly, what I can do about it. I thought I'd share it in case it helps you too.

💗Step 1: Name the feeling.

Ask yourself:

• Am I feeling angry?

• Sad?

• Scared?

• Worried?

• Hurt?

• Disappointed?

  
  

Simply naming the emotion can take away some of its power.

💗Step 2: Ask yourself... "What does this feeling make me want to do?"

Does it make you want to:

• Yell at someone?

• Shut down?

• Cry?

• Avoid people?

• Go to bed?

• Defend yourself?

Don't judge the answer, just notice it.

💗Step 3: Think back to what happened.

Ask yourself:

• What actually happened?

• Who was there?

• What thoughts immediately popped into my mind?

Sometimes our thoughts sound like: "I'm not good enough.", "They don't like me.", "I'm going to fail.", "This is too much."

Our thoughts often fuel our emotions.

💗Step 4: Ask yourself a few gentle questions.

• Is my emotional reaction fitting the situation, or is something bigger being triggered?

• Is this something I can control?

• If I can control it, what action can I take?

• If I can't control it... can I let it go?

If you can let it go, give yourself permission to let it go.

If you can't let it go, ask yourself:

"What do I need right now to help myself get through today?"

Maybe that's:

🎵Listening to music.

🚶‍♀️Going for a walk.

☎️Calling a friend.

📖Reading.

🌅Sitting outside.

🧘Simply giving yourself permission to rest.

Remember, emotions aren't the enemy. They're information. The goal isn't to stop feeling them…it’s to understand what they're trying to tell us.

This little exercise has helped me many times. It may not work for everyone, and that's okay. If your emotions are feeling overwhelming or difficult to manage on your own, reaching out to someone you trust or speaking with a mental health professional can make a real difference.

💗Be kind to yourself. You're learning, growing, and doing the best you can.