We Can Change... those icky feelings

Oh wait, they do that on their own.

Last week I received some tough (for me) but completely valid feedback.

Here, in order, are the emotions I noted over the 2-3 hours that followed:

😯 Surprised

😤 Indignant

🫣 Embarrassed

🤕 Hurt

🥹 Vulnerable

😠 Defensive

🙄 Dismissive

😎 Nonchalant

😔 Pensive

🤨 Judgmental

🤔 Reflective

🤯 Struck

🫨 Shook

🤓 Proactive

🙃 Impatient

😞 Sad

🫠 Insecure

😣 Disappointed

😶 Open

🧐 Curious

😏 Determined

🤩 Energized

😵‍💫 Anxious

😘 Compassionate

(Super grateful for the EQ of emoji designers right now.)

Can you relate?

So yeah, it's been quite the journey, and it's been useful for me to notice the feelings fueling the various stories running through my mind. It reminds me that:

1. My feelings are fleeting. I can watch them move through, and I can choose which ones I invest my attention in.

2. My feelings are not facts, but they are useful data. They can help me understand my needs and move to get those needs met.

3. My feelings motivate me to action. When I'm aware of them, not only do they tend to pass more quickly, but also I tend to take more skillful actions. When I'm not aware of them, unhelpful stories tend to take over and unskillful actions follow.

All that said, I'm going to try to take self-compassion into this week. I hope you'll do the same.

Happy (or whatever you’re feeling) Monday, friends.