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.ย โค๏ธ
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?
๐ย Was I sad?
Yes, I was sad to hear the stories of people getting sick and people passing away.
๐ ย Was I angry?
Sure, there was some anger at the fact that some people had not been taking this crisis seriously.
๐ย Was I anxious?
Given daily warnings, constant news updates and continuous restrictions, yes, there was definitely anxiety.
๐ขย ๐๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐?
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.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐จ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ?
By feeling and accepting them.
1๏ธโฃย ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ, ๐ง๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ .
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.
Donโt tell yourself that you shouldnโt be feeling what you are feeling, because other people are going through worse. Fighting the feeling will keep you stuck and wonโt allow you to move on.
2๏ธโฃย ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐
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.
3๏ธโฃย ๐
๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ข๐ง๐
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.ย โค๏ธ
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 Manuelaโs Website.ย