It's Risky Business to Ignore Your Feelings
The Brave Advantage
Empowering organizations and high-achieving women to foster authentic leadership and unlock their full potential.
Feelings. Notice what happens when you say that word.
Is it uncomfortable, awkward, neutral, positive? We all have a history that shapes how we connect to our feelings. Were you only allowed to express certain feelings and not others? For example, if you cried were you ridiculed, but if you acted out in anger, were you celebrated? Research has shown that kids who were taught to disconnect from their feelings are primed for an eating disorder. When we use food to fill emotional holes from the past or present, we are eating emotionally.?
Breaking free from emotional eating requires starting from a place of self-compassion and trust. Look inside yourself to fill emotional voids rather than turning to outside relationships, substances, or other unhealthy sources. By loving and accepting yourself, you can better love and accept others.?
Ways to connect with your feelings:
1.???Automatic Writing-Start with a question and then let yourself write 2 pages, giving yourself permission to allow your thoughts to wander where they need. Possible prompt questions- What do I need to know today? How do I feel right now? What do I want to believe about myself?
2.???Date Yourself- Take time to discover what you enjoy and then make time for those activities. Think about how you feel while planning and doing those activities.
3.???Get Creative- When we can’t find the words, creativity can give us the flexibility to express our feelings.?Try paining, playing music, doing crafts.?Don’t try to be perfect, just enjoy connecting to the activity and the process.
As you start to intentionally connect with your feelings, take a few minutes to think about the role that food has with your emotions. Do you see food as fuel and nourishment for the body? Do you use it to fill emotional holes? Do obsess over the quantity and quality of your food? We all have a relationship with food and recognizing this gives us a deeper awareness and understanding of ourselves. Growing from where we are to where we want to be builds trust within ourselves and allows us to find peace and happiness.
Take time to connect with your feelings. If you notice that you are using food to respond to your emotional state, be kind and celebrate the positive steps you are making to break free from emotional eating.
You deserve to feel healthy and whole.
You deserve to live your fabulous life.
If you are in crisis and need support, please take action now and seek professional guidance.