This is a question that stumped me a lot in the past. See, I am not a very emotional person. I am in my head a lot and think about things. However, when I started to train to become a coach over a decade ago, I got in touch with my feelings a lot more. ❤️
So when this crisis hit and I asked myself this question, I was a little confused at first. I was definitely feeling something, but what was it?
😞 Was I sad?
Yes, I was sad to hear the stories of people getting sick and people passing away.
😠 Was I angry?
Sure, there was some anger at the fact that some people had not been taking this crisis seriously.
😟 Was I anxious?
Given daily warnings, constant news updates and continuous restrictions, yes, there was definitely anxiety.
😢 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟?
I recently read an article explaining that the main emotion we are dealing with right now is grief.
Grieving the normal routines that we can no longer follow. Grieving events that we were looking forward to, that can no longer take place. Grieving the loss of connection with other people.
But also anticipatory grief. Dealing with the uncertainty of what the future holds. Feeling that something bad is out there and that we are no longer safe.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?
By feeling and accepting them.
1️⃣ 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠.
I am feeling _________.
If you are not sure how you feel, guess. Say it out loud and see if it resonates.
By naming the feeling, you allow yourself to feel it, and it moves through you.
Don’t tell yourself that you shouldn’t be feeling what you are feeling, because other people are going through worse. Fighting the feeling will keep you stuck and won’t allow you to move on.
2️⃣ 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
Ask yourself 2 questions:
I. What is happening right now? (Notice what you feel and where you feel it in your body)
II. Can I be with it?
Repeat the questions above until you feel the emotions move through you and dissipate.
3️⃣ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
Rather than try to make negative thinking go away, balance it out with positive thinking.
If you think about the worst-case scenario, take time to think about the best-case scenario. When you think about what can go wrong, think about what can go right.
- Take time to be with and accept all of your feelings, no matter what they are.
- They are part of who you are, so accepting them means accepting yourself.
- And accepting and feeling your emotions is what will allow them to pass.
Sending you love and peace. Please be especially kind and compassionate with yourself during this time, no matter how you are feeling. ❤️
Manuela helps heart-centered professionals who feel stuck or unhappy create a career and life they love. Contact her for a free 45 minute Career and Life Strategy session. Get more information on Manuela’s Website.