5 Words for More Happiness
"Would you like more happiness, clarity, and self-connection? A simple strategy can help. Check in now with how you’re feeling. See if you can notice a specific emotion. Maybe you’re feeling frustrated. Or perhaps sad, or lonely. Then add these five words as a prefix to the feeling: “A part of me feels frustrated,” or, “A part of me feels sad." Now give yourself a minute to check in and see what you notice.
These five words can start a helpful shift. It’s a process of emotional unblending, as Richard Schwartz and others in the field of Internal Family Systems (IFS) have discovered. And it brings many benefits. The shift from “all of me feels” to “a part of me feels” brings many gifts, including a larger perspective.
Finding and Focusing on Parts
Befriending Your Parts
Focusing on a part means bringing a gentle kind of curiosity. This can include asking that part what it thinks would happen if it did not do what it’s doing. Another helpful question as you’re noticing and working with parts is to ask yourself, “What is happening now as I’m with this part?” If you feel critical towards this part, or have a strong desire to just get rid of it, then it’s helpful to step back and see if this critical part can relax so you can understand the part you want to focus on. If there is a basic level of curiosity and openness, then you can go further and ask the part, “What are you trying to do for me?” Pretty quickly, you might notice a much clearer appreciation for the protective role this part is trying to play in your life.
Parting Words
Using these five words—“A part of me feels _____”—is a way of nurturing yourself. Adding them can bring an inner spaciousness where there is more room to breathe, experiment, and try new approaches. It’s a way to meet yourself with kindness and care."
Read the complete article available at Psychology Today!
Reflection:
What are your thoughts on this technique?
#Happiness #Self-reflection #EmotionalRegulation
@comfortableNight4463 really insightful technique thanks a lot for your positive contributions 💕
