Why Recognizing Your Feelings Matters?

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How are you feeling today?

You might answer 'fine, okay, good, great....'

There are many other words that can describe our experiences more accurately. 

Plutchik’s wheel of emotions beautifully summarizes the eight primary emotions- joy, trust, fear, surprise, sadness, anticipation, anger, and disgust- these are way beyond 'feeling okay'.

There are also emotions that can be can be more complex and nuanced, often blending with or influencing one another.

Like feeling love and hate, envy and admiration, worry and apprehension...

Now ask yourself again, 'how am I feeling now?'

Are you happy, excited or pleased? Sad or disappointed? Heartbroken or distraught? Proud or connected?

Why is this important?

The ability to accurately identify and label our emotional experiences is a fundamental skill for emotional regulation.

Asking ourselves a simple question like 'How am I feeling now?' allows for a heightened emotional awareness and a mindful grounding in the present moment.

Not only that, but it enables us to:

  • Observe our internal states
  • Recognize any emotional triggers that may be present
  • Facilitate a proactive approach to managing our emotions

This practice is the cornerstone of developing emotional agility, a beautiful concept illustrated in Doctor Susan David's book- which is currently my favorite read- and is essential to cultivating a greater sense of psychological wellbeing.

Noticing our feelings is key to help us regulate them and deal with them in a healthy way. This can happen in three simple ways that allow us to to check in with ourselves during the day:

  • Take mindful breaks: Take a few minutes throughout the day to pause, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Notice any thoughts or feelings that come up simply observe them. ‘What is on your mind in this moment?'. You may also notice your heartbeats and breathing pattern.
  • Keep a feelings' journal: Take a few minutes at the beginning and/or end of the day to write down how you're feeling. Be as specific as possible and include any triggers or events that may have influenced your emotions.
  • Connect with others: If you feel overwhelmed or unsure how to deal with how you are feeling, reach out to someone you trust to share with them your experiences. This can help you feel validated and supported. 

Take home message:

Remember, emotional regulation is a skill that takes practice, so be patient with yourself and keep trying these strategies to find what works best for you.

So, how are you feeling now? 😊

Yours truly,

Dana

Kindness is not just a virtue, it's a way of life. 

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