Building emotional awareness requires us to be in touch with our feelings, and not avoid them. When it comes to negative emotions, no one likes to be in pain and so there is a tendency to push our feelings down. Our avoidance could also be that we don’t like being seen as “emo” on the assumption that we need to appear strong. However, when we are in the habit of suppressing our emotions for too long, a host of problems can occur; ranging from depression and anxiety to substance abuse.
After realising about the importance of getting to know ourselves, we may encounter problems with accessing our emotions at first. It was certainly what happened to me. For a start at one stage, I was not able to distinguish and to identify what I was feeling. In fact, I had to ask for help.
That was when I discovered about labelling emotions. I also found out hat emotions have meanings and that they convey our deepest needs and desires. Gradually, I learned to sit with my feelings; instead of running away from them. And, I learned about observing them without judgment. As time went on, I was better able to develop greater self-compassion and awareness. My well-being improved, as a result.
Building Emotional Awareness: Feelings and Their Meanings
My chart offers a guide that could indicate what the various emotions broadly mean. I would ask myself what my unmet need is. By attending to my unmet need, healing becomes a lot more targetted and effective.
Strive to Build Emotional Awareness
Your emotions provide feedback on how you can realign yourself.
Work on releasing your negative emotions (such as with EFT tapping), so that you can create a positive shift.
Strive for emotional authenticity, honoring the full spectrum of your feelings without judgment or self-censure. Through increased self-understanding, your ability to build empathy and a deeper connection with others increases. By embracing your emotions, you cultivate self-love and acceptance and develop greater resilience in life.
To your well-being
Evelyn Lim
Transformation Life Coach
