The Positive Potential of Painful Emotions

     

Do you ever feel as if you are a walking contradiction, feeling more than one distressful emotion at the same time? There’s nothing “wrong” with you.

Many times, we feel one emotion specifically and strongly, and it overwhelms any other feelings we may be experiencing: we may feel overjoyed after the birth of our child or saying “I love you” for the first time to our partners and having this be reciprocated. Or we may feel nothing but aching pain when someone close to us dies. Or…we may experience more than one challenging or distressful emotion at once.

Certainly, painful feelings are distressing, but there can be power in accepting and even embracing our distressful, “negative” feelings:

1.      Distressful feelings can serve as a “wake-up call” to our own humanity and vulnerability. No one makes it through life without at least a little hardship and pain. Just as with feelings of overwhelming happiness, distress is part of the human condition. Welcome!

2.      Emotional distress or pain can cause us to become more self-aware. Ask yourself: What have I been doing that has caused me to feel this strong negative emotion? Notice the patterns. Have you chosen to isolate yourself when you’re distressed, instead of reaching out for help, for example? Once we notice and accept our own attitudes and behaviors, we then have the power to change them

3.       Discomfort can prompt us to make changes. Only when we recognize and embrace our distress can we then determine a course of action. Many times, we can stay stuck in our distress for a long time, until we finally decide to make changes. Discomfort can help motivate us to change our perspectives or behavior

You don’t have to try to handle overwhelming feelings on your own. Reach out to a trusted loved one or therapist. It would be my privilege to support you on your journey. Call today for a free 15-minute consultation.