?? Ride My Emotional Wave with Open Arms

I remember vividly the times growing up when my elders would compare me to others constantly — my look, my grades, my skills, my potential career path, even my happiness. As a child, it often felt like there was an invisible checklist I had to meet to be "enough."

But as I’ve gotten older and gathered more life experience, I've come to understand the deep beauty in appreciating the unique, ever-changing journey that is my own.

Still, there's that voice.

That voice, often quiet but persistent, is my inner critic. It tells me I'm "not good enough :(," and sometimes, when I'm riding high, it whispers that I'm “over-the-moon amazing!”

These oscillating highs and lows used to confuse me. How could I feel like a failure one moment and like I could conquer the world the next? The truth is, this back-and-forth between doubt and pride is something most of us experience. And it’s something I had to learn to navigate—an emotional wave I needed to ride with awareness.

The Moment of Clarity

Over a month ago, during my SoulCollage? facilitator training, I experienced an eye-opening shift. For those who are unfamiliar, SoulCollage? is a process that uses the power of collage and imagery to explore and connect with your inner world. (You can read my intro to SoulCollage? here.) As part of the training, I was introduced to a method called “Reading Neters,” where participants share a pressing personal question and then interpret the answers hidden within images they’ve created.

In that moment, I asked a question that had been tugging at me for a while:

“How can I navigate the highs and lows of my inner critic—especially during moments when I feel too small or too big?”

It was a simple question, but one that carried the weight of many unspoken fears. I inevitably cried during our group reading session.

The Images That Answered

After about 40 minutes of group sharing and facilitation, my peer began reflecting back the insights embedded in my images — often in the form of poetic and symbolic wisdom. I couldn’t remember every detail, but a new image that arose from the reflection stands out clearly in my mind:

"I am standing in a transparent room. The floor is transparent as well. The room moves between the sky and the sea. I walk steadily through the waves, steering them with grace."

This imagery felt like a vivid map of my internal landscape — a gentle reminder that, just like the waves of the ocean, my emotions would ebb and flow. The transparent room symbolized the need for clarity and openness, while the waves represented the emotional tides that would rise and fall. And most importantly, walking "steadily" through them was the key: embracing the ride with grace rather than resistance.

At the end of the session, I realized the key lesson I needed to carry forward:

"Ride the emotional wave with open arms."

Embracing the Emotional Tides

Since that day, this phrase and the image I produced has become my personal mantra. Whenever I find myself struggling with self-doubt or caught up in moments of extreme pride, I remind myself to be gentle. The highs and lows are part of the experience. I’m learning that, just as the ocean’s tides aren’t permanent, neither are my fluctuating feelings of inadequacy or invincibility.

This experience has deepened my appreciation for the SoulCollage? process. It’s more than just an art form — it’s a method for tapping into the subconscious to uncover truths that are often hidden beneath the surface of everyday life.

When we face our vulnerabilities — whether it’s shedding tears, feeling anxious, or uneasy — those moments are opportunities to connect more deeply with our inner selves. They teach us how to navigate the complexities of being human, to sit with discomfort, and to honor our emotions.

?? The lesson? Sometimes, the most profound wisdom comes from within, not from reading external success stories or seeking advice from a mentor.

Connecting the Dots: SoulCollage? and Coaching

As a ICF coach-in-training, I see many similarities between the SoulCollage? process and coaching. Both are centered around helping people connect with their own inner wisdom. The key difference, though, is that SoulCollage? taps into the subconscious in a playful, creative way, allowing insights to emerge organically through images.

In both coaching and SoulCollage?, my approach is the same: It’s not about the problem itself but about the relationship between the person and their problems. What you discover in that space can be far more transformative than simply finding the “right” answer.

That's why I don't tell my coachees what is the most sufficient way to solve their problems, but to ask empowering questions to awaken their authentic self so that they can learn to make more conscious and confident life choices.

A Call for Connection

As I continue to explore these creative tools, I’m excited to invite others to join me in this journey of self-discovery. If you’re curious about:

?? Exploring your inner landscape through creative tools

?? Learning how coaching and SoulCollage? can support personal growth

I’m currently recruiting participants for experiential practice. ??

As a certified SoulCollage? facilitator and an ICF-accredited coaching intern, it would be my honor to guide you on a creative, relaxed, and deeply transformative journey of self-discovery and growth. ?

Final Thoughts:

Writing this piece has reminded me that embracing our emotional waves — whether high or low — is essential for our growth. Whether you’re using coaching, SoulCollage?, or any other form of self-reflection, the goal is the same: To connect with your deeper wisdom, honor your feelings, and ride the waves with open arms.

#CoachThePersonNotTheProblem

#CoachingSoulCollageIntegration

#CoachingIsNotTraining

#FacilitatingSelfDiscovery

#SoulCollageWisdom