Earlier this week, I found myself in what I’d call a “blue mood.” There wasn’t anything tangible that was wrong, per se, but I noticed that I had dipped a bit below my comfortable baseline of contentment. Once I realized what was going on internally, I was able to step back and take an observer’s view. In my head, it sounded something like this: “Ah, it looks like I’m a bit down. I wonder what that’s about. I know that I won’t stay in this emotional place forever, but I’m here now, and that’s okay.” I recognized the feeling, my internal thoughts about the feeling and accepted that it’s where I was at that moment. I didn’t try to flee from the emotion; it was a tolerable one. The paradox is, of course, that it soon dissipated once I did the work of acknowledging it. This may sound counterintuitive. Just noticing and letting it be, it actually provides a return to equilibrium? The answer, more often than not, is yes. What’s been your experience with noticing and acknowledging your moods?
Do you ever find yourself awash on a sea of emotions? Does it ever seem like your feelings are taking over, and that you are not in control? Many of us have the experience, from time to time, of being caught up in an uncomfortable mood and not sure what to do about it. We can find ourselves doing mental gymnastics trying hard to feel better and heaping on self-criticism in an attempt to “just snap out of it.”
Earlier this week, I found myself in what I’d call a “blue mood.” There wasn’t anything tangible that was wrong, per se, but I noticed that I had dipped a bit below my comfortable baseline of contentment. Once I realized what was going on internally, I was able to step back and take an observer’s view. In my head, it sounded something like this: “Ah, it looks like I’m a bit down. I wonder what that’s about. I know that I won’t stay in this emotional place forever, but I’m here now, and that’s okay.” I recognized the feeling, my internal thoughts about the feeling and accepted that it’s where I was at that moment. I didn’t try to flee from the emotion; it was a tolerable one. The paradox is, of course, that it soon dissipated once I did the work of acknowledging it. This may sound counterintuitive. Just noticing and letting it be, it actually provides a return to equilibrium? The answer, more often than not, is yes. What’s been your experience with noticing and acknowledging your moods?
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I just contributed to a column on How to Practice Self Love. Over 50 therapists added their ideas. Here's my take on it...find the full article at this link: Observing Your Thoughts without Judgment.
My latest guest contribution to the personaldevelopementcafe.com website offered tips on how to stop worrying about what others think. Although it may be natural, and even healthy, to consider the impact our actions may have on others, we can limit our own self-expression if we allow ourselves to be paralyzed by worrying about what others think. Check out entry #8 at the following link to learn more.
How to Stop Worrying About What Others Think About You What do you do to stop worrying about how others view you? Our brains are wonderful, powerful tools that help us reason and plan. But when we're stressed and overcome with worry, we can find ourselves in a vicious cycle of overthinking. This week, clinicians offered their tips on PersonalDevelopmentCafe.com on how to put an end to overthinking. Ideas included meditation, mindfulness, and more. See #6 to read my contribution on stopping the "analysis paralysis" by asking yourself one simple question. What works for you when you find yourself in a loop of anxious thoughts?
Click here to learn How To Stop Overthinking. |
AuthorMarnee Reiley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working with couples and adults in Irvine, Orange County, California. Archives
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