Skip to content
site-logo

Life as Frances

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Mental Health
      • Anxiety
      • Depression
      • Interpersonal Trauma
    • Chronic Illness
    • Parenting
    • Food
    • Lifestyle
    • Love and Relationship
  • About
  • RESOURCES
  • Community
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Mental Health
      • Anxiety
      • Depression
      • Interpersonal Trauma
    • Chronic Illness
    • Parenting
    • Food
    • Lifestyle
    • Love and Relationship
  • About
  • RESOURCES
  • Community
  • Contact
The Power of Emotional Awareness: From Sadness to Disappointment
Interpersonal Trauma

The Power of Emotional Awareness: From Sadness to Disappointment

October 31, 2023February 12, 2024 Francis Colon Leave a comment

Parenting is full of teachable moments – those precious opportunities to impart wisdom, foster growth, and deepen our connection with our children. Recently, I had one such moment while assisting my middle child with a conflict she was facing at school. What began as a simple conversation about her feelings quickly evolved into a profound lesson about the importance of emotional awareness and the pitfalls of getting stuck in a rut when describing our feelings.

As my daughter expressed her feelings about the situation, she kept using the word “sad” to describe her emotions. But when I probed further and asked her to clarify where in her body she felt this sadness, she hesitated before finally admitting that it was in her tummy. This gave me pause – could it be that her sadness was actually something else entirely?

Drawing on a tool I’ve found invaluable in my own journey and supporting other in their own emotional self-awareness – the emotion wheel, I invited my daughter to explore her feelings further. As we examined the wheel together, she pointed to a different emotion – disappointment – that more accurately reflected her experience. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. It wasn’t sadness weighing her down, but the sting of unmet expectations and dashed hopes.

This simple yet profound exchange taught me a valuable lesson about the power of emotional awareness and the importance of being mindful of how we describe our feelings. It’s easy to fall into the trap of using familiar, comfortable words to describe our emotions, even when they don’t fully capture the complexity of our inner experiences. But by taking the time to delve deeper, to explore the nuances of our feelings and the sensations they evoke in our bodies, we can gain greater insight into our emotional landscape and navigate it with clarity and intention.

What can we do instead of getting stuck in a rut when describing our feelings?

The first step is to take a moment to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself. Notice the sensations in your body and the thoughts and feelings that arise. By cultivating a practice of mindfulness, you can develop greater awareness of your emotions and their underlying causes. Also, take note of these sensations, and if they are cycle? do they occur at a specific time (holiday, work, etc.) or with a specific person or thought.

Also, instead of defaulting to familiar terms like “sad” or “angry,” try to use more descriptive language to articulate your feelings. Are you feeling frustrated, disappointed, or overwhelmed? The more specific you can be, the better able you’ll be to understand and communicate your emotions. I like asking the why question? For example, why do I feel a knot on my stomach? Why do I feel nervous?.

Similarly, don’t be afraid to dig deeper and ask yourself or others probing questions about your feelings. Where do you feel this emotion in your body? What triggered it? What do you need in this moment to feel better? By getting curious about your emotions, you can uncover valuable insights and opportunities for growth.

Use tools and resources such as the emotion wheels, feeling charts, and other tools can be valuable resources for expanding your emotional vocabulary and gaining clarity about your feelings. Experiment with different tools and see what resonates with you.

Ultimately, the key to breaking out of the rut when describing our feelings lies in cultivating emotional awareness and embracing the richness and complexity of our inner experiences. By practicing mindfulness, using descriptive language, getting curious, and leveraging tools and resources, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves and others and navigate our emotional lives with greater clarity and intention.

awarenessemotionemotionawarenesshealtrauma

Related Posts

The New York City Earthquake: Unveiling the Layers of Childhood Trauma
The New York City Earthquake: Unveiling the Layers of Childhood Trauma
Addicted to the Emotional Chaos: Awareness and Breaking the Cycle
Addicted to the Emotional Chaos: Awareness and Breaking the Cycle
Navigating Romantic Relationships After Childhood Trauma: How to Identify the Type of Partner You Need
Navigating Romantic Relationships After Childhood Trauma: How to Identify the Type of Partner You Need
My Never ending Quest to Find the Perfect Cup of Coffee
My Never ending Quest to Find the Perfect Cup of Coffee

Post navigation

Valuable Lessons: Navigating Grief, Healing, and Signs from the Other Side
Embrace the Ride: Achieve Goals and Find Happiness Along the Way

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hey, There!

Hey, There!

Frances Michelle, Founder
Welcome to my blog! Here you'll find musings about life lessons, beauty,  product reviews, and entries about my weight-loss journey, and a shameless plug or two (or three). I'm always looking for cool people to work with. Contact me!

Subscribe

Stay up to date via our weekly newsletter.

Blog River

Unmasking Impostor Syndrome: The Hidden Link to Internalized Racism
Life Lessons ➤ November 23, 2024

Unmasking Impostor Syndrome: The Hidden Link to Internalized Racism

The author explores their personal struggle with impostor syndrome, revealing its connection to internalized racism. Despite achievements, feelings of inadequacy stemmed from societal biases. A pivotal moment in therapy prompted the realization that systemic oppression informs self-perception. Acknowledging this link led to strategies for healing and empowerment, emphasizing community support.

Read More
Forgiving Ourselves as Parents and Healing Our Inner Child: A Reflection on Cam Newton’s  Episode with Iyanla Vanzant
Parenting ➤ September 16, 2024

Forgiving Ourselves as Parents and Healing Our Inner Child: A Reflection on Cam Newton’s Episode with Iyanla Vanzant

Iyanla Vanzant's conversation with Cam Newton highlights the complexities of parenting, inner healing, and self-forgiveness. She candidly admits being a "horrible mother but a great father," reflecting on her emotional struggles and the dual roles parents often juggle. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and healing, impacting both parents and children.

Read More
Masculine and Feminine Energy in Relationships and Dating: Insights from Object Relations and the Whoreible Decisions Episode with Anwar
Love and Relationship ➤ September 15, 2024

Masculine and Feminine Energy in Relationships and Dating: Insights from Object Relations and the Whoreible Decisions Episode with Anwar

The rise of terms like "masculine energy" and "feminine energy" has ignited discussions about their impact on relationships and personal identity. These energies, often developed through early caregiver relationships, influence attraction and compatibility. Object relations theory helps explain these dynamics, revealing how balance and understanding of these energies can lead to healthier and more fulfilling relationships.

Read More

Search

Instagram

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
© 2025 | Designed by Little Theme Shop