All Emotions Welcome: Why Emotions are Okay

This article is by Recovery Connection

 

There’s no such thing as good emotions and bad emotions—they’re all what makes us human. Here’s why we should reevaluate how we view and treat emotions.

As a society, we don’t try to hide the simple fact that we don’t like emotions. We view them as weak, as troublesome and useless, specifically if they are termed “negative.” They get in the way of our everyday lives. As a result, we do not express what we feel but instead suppress our emotions. We even disguise, excuse or belittle them. “No I’m not sad, I’m fine, really. It’s just that I am stressed out with my job, being a new parent, paying my bills.” The thing is, we understand emotions all wrong – we have forgotten all about the power and importance behind them.

Emotions are not good or bad, they just are. There are some emotions that we prefer: the love we have for a meaningful person in our lives, the joy we get out of an enjoyable activity, but all emotions are important. As much as we may dislike feeling angry or sad, it is all a part of who we are.

We are human, we are emotional beings, and emotions are a part of us whether we want to accept it or not. As surprising as it might be, emotions actually play an important role in our lives. They help us to function, survive and live healthy, happy lives. Here are a few reminders of why we need emotions in our lives, and maybe why we should start appreciating and taking more notice of them.

Emotions Motivate Us

Simply, they are what connect us with ideas that inspire us and give us the goals we want to accomplish. Ever felt swayed to make a life change or support a certain cause? Ever felt angry about something, but the next time the opportunity came around, you tried that much harder? You can thank your emotions for that- and for your many successes.

Emotions are the Building Blocks of Relationships

They are how we establish communication with each other. Facial expressions and body language are the ways we express ourselves so others can understand what we are feeling and thinking. When we tell people how we feel about particular topics, show them what we are passionate about and who inspires us, they start to understand who we are, and friendships are born from these interactions.

Emotions are Natural

They make us who we are! Emotions are naturally-occurring and contribute to what makes us individuals. What disgusts us, what angers us, or cause us joyful or surprised, has a lot to do with who we are. Our distinct differences in our emotions are what make us different from each other. What makes me laugh and what makes you laugh is different, it is a part of our individual, unique identities.

Emotions connect us with the world around us, with people, ideas and goals for ourselves. They set us apart and make us who we are. Everyone has emotions, even if some of us are better at hiding them than others.

It can be hard to know what to do with our emotions, as it can even be scary to understand where they are coming from. Even with this in mind, emotions are meant to be meaningful and respected. They were not meant to be dismissed or apologized for.

Society has inserted shame around our emotions and expression of them. Challenge yourself to let go and be emotionally free- feel the feels – and reflect on the experience. Take them all in, recognize what they are, explore where the emotion came from, and know that it’s okay.

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