UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONS: Identifying and Processing Your Feelings

Emotions weave through our lives, every twist and turn bringing a new thrill (or spill,) shaping our experiences and influencing our decisions. From the unexpected joys to the depths of sorrow, our emotions are vast and complex. Despite their presence, many of us struggle to fully understand and effectively process our feelings.

Before we can begin to process our emotions, we must first become aware of them. This requires a willingness to tune into our internal experiences and acknowledge the full spectrum of our feelings, whether they be positive, negative, or somewhere in between. Often, we may find ourselves so caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks that we lose touch with our emotions, relegating them to the shadows of our consciousness. However, burying our feelings only serves to prolong their impact and prevent us from addressing them in a meaningful way.

Ever find yourself at a loss for words when trying to describe your feelings? To begin the process of emotional processing, it's essential to develop the skill of emotional identification. This involves learning to recognize and label our feelings with precision and accuracy. Say goodbye to bland descriptors like "happy" or "sad", “good” or “bad”, and hello to a vibrant palette of emotional vocabulary! From "ecstatic" to "crestfallen," "giddy" to "gloomy," the world of emotions is your linguistic playground. For example, instead of saying, "I feel terrible," we might say, "I feel overwhelmed by anxiety." By articulating our emotions in this way, we gain greater insight into their underlying causes and can begin to address them more effectively. So go ahead, flex those verbal muscles and let your emotions do the talking!

Emotions do not arise in a vacuum; they are often triggered by specific events, thoughts, or memories. One moment you're soaring on cloud nine, feeling as light as a feather. The next, you're plummeting into the depths of despair, wondering if you'll ever see the light of day again. By identifying the triggers that elicit emotional responses within us, we can gain valuable insight into the patterns and dynamics of our emotions. For instance, we might discover that certain situations or interactions consistently provoke feelings of anger or insecurity. Armed with this knowledge, we can develop strategies for managing these triggers and responding to them more adaptively.

Once we've figured out how we feel, the next step is handling those feelings in a way that helps us. This could mean doing different things like writing in a journal, calming down with meditation, or talking to someone we trust, like a friend or a therapist. But here's a question: What if watching our favourite show makes us feel better? This is where we think about how laughter and connecting with others can really help us. Laughter, they say, is the best medicine, and what better way to soothe the soul than with a hearty dose of laughter? Looking back at the Friends show reunion in 2021, lots of people said watching the show helped them when they were going through tough times. Personally, Friends holds a special place in my heart for its ability to evoke good laughs out of me. But while binge-watching might feel good for a little while, it's a bit like eating too much food to feel better, it's just a temporary fix. So, while it's great to enjoy our favourite show, it is also important to dedicate ourselves to the essential work of processing our emotions healthily, as previously highlighted. The key is to make a safe space for ourselves where we can express how we feel without worrying about what others might think. By doing this, we can let go of our feelings' hold on us and feel better overall.

Emotions serve as steadfast companions, so embrace the ride and scream your heart out, for every peak has its valley, and every low has its high. By honing emotional awareness, recognition, and management, we equip ourselves to traverse this terrain with greater clarity and empathy. Let's welcome our emotions, both bright and shadowy as the rich tapestry of human existence. Remember, emotions are like spices, adding zest, depth, and vibrancy. So, celebrate, and above all, stay composed and embrace your emotional journey!