Own, Express and Release is one way in which I like to think about our emotions. One cannot reject their emotions regarding circumstances, world events or relationships without it triggering future troubles.
What are our emotions? They are defined as “A natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one’s circumstances, mood or relationship with others.” Similar words for emotions are “feelings, sentiment, sensation, reaction, response, passion, intensity, warmth…” God gave us emotions for a good reason. We don’t follow our feelings in decision making but a person must recognize their feelings to process circumstances.
What I mean by that declaration is one should recognize how you feel so you’re not be led by a feeling in your circumstances. But you’ll have the ability to process how your feeling to ensure that your decision making isn’t compromised.
First how do we Own it? To me this means plainly ‘admit’ to how you are feeling sad, frustrated, scared, fearful, can all be emotions along with happy, joyful etc. Anger is another feeling which is what some describe to as a secondary emotion because anger is a feeling that signals there is something going on within you such as hurt, fear or frustration. Once you step back from the anger and have a look at how you’re really feeling you will get a more accurate picture of yourself. So rather than being angry you’ll be able to admit what’s really going on inside of you.
Which then leads to expressing your emotions. Expressing emotions can seem scary to someone who is not used to it. Even if you’re not use to discussing your feelings now is the time to try. Start with someone you feel safe to talk to. Sometimes we just need people to listen to us.
Here are a few ways to express emotions 1) talk about them with someone you trust 2) write out how your feeling 3) cry it out 4) use the emotion in a way that isn’t harmful to someone else. 5) Draw what your feeling…
When your expressing your feelings it ‘releases it’ from your mind and body. Releasing it also is like letting it go. It means you’ll be living in a way that those feelings are no longer fueling your day.
March 2020 was unsettling for all the people in America and around the world. Other countries were infected by the virus before March but now each nation has been plagued by the Covid-19 virus. It has altered our views and resources. This remains unsettling times for everyone. So yes, it’s ok to express your feelings and allow yourself time to mourn. I recommend that you read my post ‘Grief Work.’
So that your able to comprehend your feelings currently. Grief is a gift to go from loss to healing. Our eldest granddaughter is a senior in High School and as of this day there has been no news about graduation or prom etc. All graduating grades have students in limbo, so we need to let them grieve.
People all around the world have lost loved ones alone which is an awful situation and it makes mourning even harder. These people and families need time to heal still after the Covid-19 virus is gone.
I’m writing this to tell you that if your emotions are all over begin to own it as well as express them in healthy ways. This will help you to release pressure and an assurance that your able to cope throughout these unsettling times.
Own, Express and Release