Last week's email linked to an article I wrote about Embracing Discomfort as a path to wholeness. If you didn't read it, here is that link again:
https://www.bayareamh.com/post/embracing-discomfort-the-path-to-growth-and-resilience
When we ignore or suppress our feelings, we give them power over us. They can fester and grow, leading to bigger problems down the line. By feeling our feelings and processing them in a healthy way, we take back control of our emotional lives and can move forward with greater clarity and purpose.
When we allow ourselves to experience and acknowledge our emotions, we open ourselves up to a range of benefits, including:
Increased creativity: When we allow ourselves to feel our emotions, we tap into a deep well of creativity that can inspire us in our work, art, and other areas of our lives.
Increased self-awareness: By being in tune with our emotions, we gain a better understanding of ourselves and our needs, which can help us make healthier choices in our lives.
Better relationships: When we are able to express our feelings in a clear and constructive way, we can build deeper and more meaningful connections with others.
Improved mental health: Suppressing our emotions can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. By allowing ourselves to feel our feelings, we can reduce these negative emotions and improve our overall mental health.
Increased resilience: When we are able to face and overcome difficult emotions, we become more resilient and better equipped to handle future challenges.
Here are a couple of ways you can practice the skill of leaning in to discomfort:
Practice feeling your emotions: Allow yourself to experience and acknowledge your emotions, rather than suppressing or ignoring them. By feeling your feelings, you can tap into a deep well of creativity, develop greater self-awareness, build better relationships, improve your mental health, and increase your resilience.
Practice radical acceptance of emotions: Accept and embrace your emotions, even the difficult or uncomfortable ones, without judgment or resistance. By accepting your emotions, you can develop greater emotional resilience, build stronger relationships, and live a more fulfilling life.
Face your problems and challenges head-on: Rather than avoiding or denying your problems, work through them in a healthy way. By facing your problems, you can develop greater resilience and problem-solving skills, which can help you to overcome future challenges and live a more fulfilling life.
Over time, you can develop greater emotional resilience, creativity, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills. Choose one of these practices to try this week and let me know how it goes!