Identifying How We Feel

It can be very difficult at times to know what we feel, much less why we are feeling it, but knowing what we are feeling is a very important step. Absolutely every transformation in life starts with greater awareness. Here are a couple of powerful ways to help you identify what you are feeling:

One of the best ways to start recognizing your emotions is by answering the question: 

What do I feel right now? 

Are you lonely, jealous, resentful, stressed, angry? 

Pick a word that describes what you are feeling in the moment and write it in a little notebook. 

When I was a young attorney starting to connect with my emotions, I used to write in the margins of my briefs. Most of the time I was writing jealous, jealous, jealous because that’s how I felt. All the other lawyers around me seemed so competent and self-assured! (By the way, a really handy place to keep a notebook is in the kitchen if you want to identify your triggers for overeating.) If you can’t seem to find the words for what you’re feeling, Google “list of emotions” online and you’ll find plenty.

Our bodies provide great clues to our emotions. 

What is going on when we walk around with tension in our shoulders and backs? 

What are we feeling when we feel tightness in our chests or are short of breath? 

Try this: 

The next time you are experiencing an uncomfortable sensation in your body, don’t distract yourself by heading directly to that pint of Ben and Jerry’s. 

See if you can identify the emotion behind the signal your body is giving you. 

Did you just have a fight with your husband before you devoured that bag of chips? 

Did you get off the phone with your mother and immediately have a stomachache? 

What in that commercial on TV made your eyes well up with tears?

Don’t suppress what you are feeling. 

Find a place where you can be alone and quiet. 

Breathe deeply and become aware of your body. 

Gently bring your attention to each area of your body in which you feel tense or uncomfortable. 

See if you can consciously relax that area, and let yourself experience the feelings that come up. 

Keep in mind that you may need some practice at this before you arrive at any deep insights. Above all, just let the feelings be and don’t try to change them.

(https://deborahking.com/topics/emotional-healing/)