Mindfulness weekly idea August 22-29

Dear lovely 35plus community

Happy Thursday! How are you all doing?

I myself have been dealing with quite a few difficult emotions lately. Anger, guilt, shame, disappointment… you name it! I have to say that mindfulness has helped me a lot to process them. So I thought I could do a post about this :)

How do we mindfully deal with difficult emotions?

Once you have recognised that a difficult emotion is there, the first step is to turn towards this emotion with curiosity. Identify and label what it is. Say to yourself: This is anger for instance, or This is anxiety.

Acknowledge and accept its presence. Dont deny it. Every emotion comes for a reason and with a message. Anger, for instance, tells us that there is an unmet need.

Inquire and investigate your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. Observe what is going on in your mind, heart and body. What thoughts are running through your head? What triggered you? What feelings are you mindful of? What areas of your body feel tense, or burning, or warm, or relaxed? Where is the core of the emotion located exactly, and what effect does a sustained mindful awareness have on the physical aspect of your experience?

Do not identify yourself with what you are feeling. Emotion has the word motion in it. Emotions are always moving, fluxing and changing. Try to distance yourself and create a space between you and what you are feeling. The emotion is more likely to do what all emotions do quite naturally, which is to keep moving. Anger, guilt, sadness… they all come and go, but you dont. Youre always here.

Have you ever tried such an approach to your emotions? How was the experience? What do you find more challenging?

As always, I would love to read your feedback!

Cheers from France

Valeria

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