Emotions can be tricky to understand, as we know.

We think we’re feeling one way, but then, maybe it could be something else. Often, an emotion we feel is somewhere in between 2 other emotions, and one emotion can lead into another emotion if a different factor come into play. The chart below shows some interesting examples of 2 emotions living within us either simultaneously or consecutively.

The way I see to interpret this chart is to look at the pair of emotions in each circle, and then to quietly feel what the outcome could be for you as an outcome. The overlap is more of a result that happens when one experiences both emotions.

What do you think? Do they ring true for you?

If you’re struggling to figure out what you’re feeling, copy and paste the list below (in the accordion) to a Word document. Print it out and then circle the emotions you can identify within yourself at this moment. Sit with your feelings by allowing them to just exist.

When we acknowledge our emotions instead of shoving them down and denying to ourselves what we’re feeling, the honesty allows us to see the situation without blinders on.

This is a good point to pull out a notebook to journal in, if you don’t already keep a journal for your emotions.

• What are you feeling?
• What would you like to feel?
• What kind of changes do you need to see in your life so that you can transmute some of those feelings into what you want to be feeling?
• What baby steps can you take to get the process started?

The baby steps are a very important part of being able to move forward. Often, we know where we want to get to, but the destination seems so very overwhelming to be able to get to.

By identifying one or possibly a few baby steps, we can gain courage to make the change we need to in our lives when the steps aren’t too big.

If you’ve identified the first couple of steps but it still seems to be too overwhelming, try breaking it down further into even smaller steps. Sit with those thoughts to gain more clarity within yourself and to find the strength to start doing them.

What to do when it seems so overwhelming?

For example: many people feel overwhelmed with their weight, have gotten a lot of criticism about it, but with the criticism comes shame which then seems to create urges to comfort eat.

What could be a couple of baby steps to feeling better? Where does one start when one feels so overwhelmed and beaten down by the shame?

I feel a great way to transmute the feelings of shame is to start to do something that brings joy and that focuses on creating solutions for oneself.

By the way, you don’t need to tell anyone or announce to anyone what you’re doing – best to leave the critics in the dark! You get to do this for your own mental health improvements.

Here are some positive possibilities, and by incorporating them on different days, you can mix it up.

• Put on some gentle music and do slow movements to stretch and slowly move the body
• Put on some upbeat music and just dance for a song or two, building up to a few songs
• Go for a gentle walk to allow your thoughts to just percolate – maybe bring a notebook along to jot down some of those thoughts
• Go for a brisker walk to get the blood pumping
• Go to the gym with the intention of just doing 15 minutes of stuff to get your blood moving. If you feel more energy coming after the 15 minutes, continue. If you can’t do more than 15 minutes, that’s okay because you’ve done something positive.

When you do something positive for yourself, switch your rewards. Instead of a sweet dessert as a reward, find a healthier snack to slurp on or crunch on. When you’re feeling stressed, switch out the higher calorie comfort eating for something far less calorie dense. I’m not telling you not to eat! The urges to eat will diminish over time as you start to take care of your emotions and to make the changes in your life that are creating the big emotions.

The changes can happen more incrementally. It takes time to rewire our brain into new habits. It takes time for our bodies to feel satisfied with new routines. Do new things that make you happy and feel joy, for then you will want to continue to do them.

Whatever is going on within your life, keep yourself hydrated with water or tea, eat nourishing foods, get the blood moving through some movement, and get plenty of sleep!

Sending you hugs for your journey. I believe in you because you are worthy as a human being!

 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blessings!
Thank you for liking, sharing this post and for following me!
Tamara

I hope you’ll poke around my Archived Posts Main page divided up into 3 sub-pages: Mental Health and Rewiring the Brain || Healing and Developing Ourselves || Positive thoughts and Affirmations to find a wonderful trove of supportive and encouraging posts!
https://tamarakulish.com/

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Guided Journals help you work on a particular issue by answering questions to help see patterns and to find solutions:

Removing Inner Blocks ||  Anger Journal || Guided Anxiety Journal  ||  Joy & Mindfulness Journal   ||  My Boundaries Journal  || My Inner Thoughts Journal   

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