emotions
get to know 'em
My dear companion,
How are you?
I hope life has been kind to you in the midst of its craziness.
I wanted to write to you about work, the therapy one. It has been a season of working with people who want to or need to begin re-engaging with their emotional world. Achieving this has involved identifying and labelling their feelings in relation to a particular event or events.
The feelings wheel, which was introduced to me by my therapist, has been a useful tool because its structure allows for an expanded view of emotional experiences. When we utilise the wheel during sessions, I witness their realisation that emotions can be layered and many; they can go deep and can be repetitive. Disappointment can be anger and sadness, while shame can have fear and disgust within it.
Labelling emotions has been a vehicle for conversations around traumatic experiences, giving them language to say “this is what hurts, where and how it hurts”.
These breakthrough moments are when healing begins to set in, and it is beautiful to watch as they give language to feelings they could never describe. They are vulnerable and seen. What an honour it has been to witness and guide the healing of so many people.
My dear one, during this season, I have seen how much insight we lose when we do not engage with our emotions. The way you feel about something carries a ton of information about who you are. Never lie to yourself about your emotional truth because when you do, you worsen your emotional pain through invalidation and denial.
Your feelings matter.
I want you to consider that maybe, just maybe, you are in a safer environment than where you used to be, so engage with your feelings.
As you do so, may the odds be ever in your favour.
With love always,
A.
The wheel is really helpful, thank you.