Embracing Emotional Flow: Your Path to Wellness

Hello and welcome to the Marie Merritt Coaching blog, dedicated to your holistic well-being. Today, we'll delve into the transformative journey of allowing your feelings to flow, exploring how this practice can enrich your life and support your overall wellness. I am writing from a place of experience and compassion. I was in a conversation earlier today with my girlfriend, and we were talking about emotions and the ways we have or do cope with them (or not).

I was reminded of my youth into early adulthood when I would try to think about my feelings and apply logic to them. I brought up my language around the way I felt about what happened to me as a child. I remember thinking to myself over and over again that what I was going through “wasn’t that bad because someone else in the world had it worse.” Talking about it this morning put a lump in my throat because I was holding space as an adult (with hopefully more wisdom) for my younger self. This space and awareness was that what happened to me is something that should never happen to children or anyone. Being abused created resilience in me, sure… but what parts of me were stunted or delayed because I wasn’t taught that I was safe, much less that it was ok to have feelings about my experience or circumstances. I think that I needed to not feel what I was at the time because I needed to survive. When I did start feeling all my feelings, though, it was terrifying.

There is Power in Embracing Your Emotions

As an NBC-HWC, I believe in the importance of acknowledging and embracing your emotions. Our emotions are like the currents of a river, guiding us through life's twists and turns. I regularly work with a therapist who has held space for me to fall apart, as well as taught me that it is ok and that I won’t die if I do have big feelings. She has taught me self-compassion, and it is still a practice, but it is something that I use with clients as I am walking alongside them through their wellness journey. Here are some ways that feeling can be beneficial.

1. Releasing and Healing

Imagine your emotions as vital energy. By allowing them to flow freely, you release any pent-up tension and create space for healing. Just as a river can stagnate when blocked, our emotions can hinder our well-being if suppressed. Letting these emotions flow is an essential aspect of maintaining emotional and physical health.

Through this process, you grant yourself the opportunity to heal. You can process and hold space for your emotions, leading to a sense of relief and mental clarity. It's a powerful step toward a more balanced and resilient you.

I will admit when I started feeling my feelings as they were happening, it was relieving, but it was also foreign. I remember looking at friends and loved ones and admitting out loud that I was “practicing feeling my feelings.” There is an art to allowing our feelings to flow through us, and if it is something that was not learned and reinforced early on, it won’t come naturally at first. Keep trying, though - It is worth it.

2. Gaining Insight and Self-Awareness

Each emotion carries a unique message. When we allow ourselves to experience these feelings, we gain valuable insights into our inner world. This heightened self-awareness helps us understand our needs, triggers, and true priorities. Such awareness is a potent tool for personal growth and making informed life choices. I thought I knew myself, but it turns out that I only knew myself who existed in a heightened state of survival and self-protection. I did not exist in the world open and vulnerable. I was always curious and comfortable being open to learning, but I was a firm believer that knowledge is power and that more knowledge would somehow keep me safer and more resilient. After learning the art of allowing, my self-awareness has grown, and my relationship with myself is stronger and softer all at the same time. I do not need to be so hard. I know that I can lean into those around me, and even if I am hurt, I will be ok. I will heal.

3. Strengthening Connections

By embracing your emotional flow, you foster a deeper connection with yourself and with others. Authenticity and vulnerability lead to genuine relationships. As you open up to your feelings, you encourage others to do the same, creating a supportive and empathetic community. We can show up for others when we can show up for ourselves. Being vulnerable takes practice, and it takes failing. Not everyone is worth being vulnerable with, but discerning who you can lean into takes practice and effort.

There are people that I wanted to lean into in my past who were the wrong choice, but I think I knew that and ignored my gut feeling when I wanted so badly to be seen, heard and loved. It may have been a subconscious effort to reinforce what I thought I knew my entire life. That no one could take care of me better than I could myself, etc. I had a lot of mantras that got me through my early life. Being almost 40, I have a greater understanding of them, and I have compassion for that little girl who just wanted to be loved without having to earn it. The little girl who just wanted to be seen and for someone to be proud of her and her accomplishments. The little girl who wanted to look at the world as if it was full of wonder, not full of people who could hurt her.

My heart breaks for that little girl, but my adult self knows that there is wonder and beauty in the world we live in. I know that I am safe to be in a world full of connection, love, kindness, and compassion. Learning to feel has made me more connected with myself and has allowed me to develop deeper and stronger connections with others.

Here are Some Practical Steps to Allow Emotional Flow

1. Mindfulness Practice: Dedicate moments each day to mindful awareness. This simple practice allows you to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, enhancing emotional understanding. Some people enjoy being mindful on a walk, or they create space in their day that is untouchable, so they can check in with themselves.

2. Journal Your Journey: Regularly writing down your thoughts and feelings can be incredibly therapeutic. It aids in processing emotions and gaining valuable perspectives. I personally love writing. It can be a brain dump and feeling dump onto paper. It doesn’t have to make sense. Just let it flow!!!

3. Engage in Creative Expression: Whether it's art, music, dance, or writing, creative outlets provide an avenue for your feelings to flow naturally. I like writing and painting. I do enjoy music and the rabbit hole of Spotify as well.

4. Professional Support: Consider speaking with a counselor or therapist when needed. Seeking professional support can offer insights and strategies for managing emotions effectively. My therapist is wonderful. I believe in counseling as a form of preventative medicine, not only when something (ie me) feels broken.

5. Prioritize Self-Care: Taking care of your overall well-being is paramount. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, building a strong foundation for emotional resilience. We all know that I am an advocate for fitness. I do own a training studio, after all. If you are interested in our fitness facility and what we have to offer, click here. If you aren’t into going into gyms and want a place to start, email me, and I can make some suggestions, but I do love walking.

At Marie Merritt Coaching, I am here to support you on this transformative journey. I also have a network of professionals to refer to when something is outside my scope of practice. Sometimes, it takes a village.

If you are interested in booking a discovery call with me, fill out the form below!