Vulnerable and Emotional: thoughts mini-achievements, understanding emotions and coping with change
As human beings, we aren’t meant to stay stagnant. It’s innately prolific for us to be able to adapt to our changing environments, and become the versions of ourselves that make the most sense in the context we’re given. But just like human beings are ever changing, the context in which we shape ourselves is just as equally shifting- and most times out of our control. So how are we supposed to handle all this change? Recently I’ve been struggling a lot with how much life seems to change, and understanding myself within all new contexts. Sometimes it’s for the better and sometimes not, but either way life seems to always be throwing hoops at us.
Most of my mornings it felt like I had to pry myself out of bed to get my day started. I couldn’t stop intrusive thoughts of uncertainty and doubt, and I hadn’t felt like this in a long time. It became hard for me to understand why things were happening when and how they did, and I felt really embarrassed and guilty about having strong emotions. It didn’t feel like I had a real reason to get emotional, but for some reason I always was.
I’ve had to grow up a lot emotionally this year.
One of the things I’ve had to come to understand about myself, though, is that in order to move forward I have to completely process through my emotions; to sit with my feelings and understand why I feel the way I do. Whether this means I cry, laugh, get angry, take a breath or get excited, my body uses emotions as a means for coping with change. The more we release ourselves and just let ourselves feel what our bodies need to feel, the better we will be at understanding how we handle situations and adapt ourselves to our shifting contexts. Emotions serve as both a pro and con to the human brain.
There are two things that I have introduced into my daily routine that have made me more apt to handle any kind of emotion and changing contexts: 1) writing down my thoughts and feelings, and 2) appreciating small accomplishments. When your head can’t stop spiraling with thoughts and emotions, it helps to write down everything that’s on your mind. Create a judgment-free zone for yourself to completely express what you are going through. Putting words down on paper calms the mind and allows those swirling thoughts to transfer from your brain onto the stillness of the page.
The second way I have found that allows me to cope with change and embrace vulnerability is appreciating small accomplishments I make throughout the day. My favorite way to do this is to make a list of everything I have to do and actively cross off things as they get done. Rather than letting my mind become encompassed with a long to-do list, it helps me to be able to see what I have accomplished at the end of a day. Anything from simple tasks to huge obstacles deserve a pat on your back.
Sometimes it’s really hard to understand what is happening in our lives, and how to cope with it. It’s important to embrace all the vulnerability and emotions that come with our crazy, changing lives, even though it can be tough at times to do so. I want to encourage you to find ways that allow your brain and body to process and settle into its contexts. Find a time and space to let your mind settle. Appreciate the little accomplishments you make every day, and dive internally to find out how you can leverage your emotions as an asset to process your life.
Being vulnerable is uncomfortable, but essential, and the sooner we can understand how we process and interpret ourselves and our surroundings, the better we will be at adapting to their changes.
Take it one step at a time, and be gentle with yourself.