Do any of these phrases sound familiar…
“There’s no need to cry.”
“Don’t be sad. This isn’t so bad.”
“Don’t cry.”
So many of us have been told by friends and family to hold our emotions back, which can make us feel like we can’t express ourselves.
Even though holding back tears may feel like the “right” thing to do at the moment – holding our emotions in can prolong the healing process.
Sadness Makes us Human
Even though experiencing sadness, anger, anxiety, or fear typically isn’t fun, it is entirely normal.
Sadness is a basic human emotion and is part of what makes us human.
Feelings come and go – but it’s important to have them.
If we didn’t experience sadness, we might not be able to understand and appreciate happiness.
All of your experiences, both positive and negative, have helped transform you into who you are today.
Fighting Our Feelings
When we’re upset about something, it’s so easy to tell yourself and others that you are fine, when in reality, you are not.
Re-assuring yourself that you’ll be okay isn’t always enough to accept and move past negative feelings.
Take note of your emotions and remind yourself that your feelings are valid and it’s okay to have them.
Processing
Processing and experiencing feelings is part of being human.
Life is a rollercoaster, and no two days are exactly the same.
Some days will be amazing. Some will be tough. And some will be somewhere in the middle.
We know it’s tough, but it’s what life is all about.
Whether you’re having a good, bad or in-between kind of day, it’s important to treat yourself with kindness and practise coping strategies.
There is no right or wrong way to cope with emotions.
It’s all about figuring out what works best for you.
“The emotion that can break your heart is sometimes the very one that heals it…” – Nicholas Sparks
