Why Being Able To Identify Your Feelings Actually Matters

'Ugh, feelings.'

Or is it 'Yay, feelings!'.

Feelings are the emotional states or thoughts tied to the emotions that we experience.

Emotions are sensations that arise from chemical reactions in our bodies in response to events in our environment or from memories, creating a connection between the body and brain.

Emotions and feelings happen because we are humans.

Our emotions are our guideposts in life, providing valuable information. They affect how we perceive and respond to the world around us, guiding our action and decisions. Emotions reveal our true selves, our values, and our preferences.

Don't miss the messages by not knowing your feelings!

Emotions also shape our overall outlook on life. While it's often said that you can't change your feelings, you can transform how you feel by working with your emotions. The first step is awareness.

Many of us are taught to see feelings as either good or bad, black or white. Society often emphasizes positivity. While positive emotions feel good, there is a significant value in those that don't feel as pleasant. In fact, by listening to our unpleasant emotions, we can get closer to our authentic self.

We often have feelings about our feelings, known as meta-emotions. They originate from how we are raised by family, friends, and our culture. Fear of discomfort from "negative" emotions can prevent us from being aware of them. Instinctually, we want to fix negative feelings quickly. Without healthy coping mechanisms, we might ignore or run from our emotions, but this isn't a solution - it's merely a cover-up.

Avoidance of "negative" emotions can lead to poor decisions, feeling low, and even addiction. These emotions will resurface either consciously or subconsciously, often more intensely over time. Pretending they don't exist prevents us from addressing them, leading to drastic reactions, outbursts, or worse overtime, depression and anxiety.

If you're anything like me, you may have learned to suppress your emotions because of pain or environmental norms. I often said "I don't feel anything" or "I am fine" and struggled to label my feelings.  In fact, I believed I didn't feel anything at all. However, feelings are inevitable; denying them is like saying you don't have a body part. We all feel, whether or not conscious.

Ignoring your emotions is like ignoring your physical health. Not stepping on a scale doesn't mean you aren't gaining weight; it just means you aren't aware of it.

If you need support at any point, options like BetterHelp and TalkSpace are easily accessible online. I've used both.

Bottom line: trying to shut down "bad" and focusing on the "positive" is not possible. We need a full range of emotions to live a healthy and content life. Without the bad, there is no good. And in even worse news, we cannot shut down any emotions entirely.

To grow, change, heal, and live a full, colorful life, we must know our feelings. It requires bravery and determination. Remember, regardless of how intense or long-lasting a feeling is, this too shall pass. Emotions are like waves - just ride them out, knowing they will eventually subside, especially if you handle them with awareness and care.