When it comes to our emotions the field of mental health has brought advances of understanding that thankfully mean we can now challenge and let go of old sayings that may be more damaging than helpful to the mental health of some in our modern lives. There are many of us who grew up with often used phrases from the olden days that may have served a purpose in a different context when life ways a daily struggle in a harsh physical world where lifespans were shorter, technology limited (when even existent), and there weren’t many things to have to balance in life let alone time to think about balancing them.
For better and for worse, we live in a different day and age, where threats for most in developed countries look less like trying not to starve during a harsh winter but are still often present in new ways that impact our mental health similar as previous ways impacted others physical health. As we are learning to navigate things such as dopamine overloads from social media, technology, and the abundance of readily available substances around us, we are also learning that replacing our old sayings with newer replacements can aid us in navigating and understanding the realities we face in modern times. Such sayings about emotions can have a negative impact on our mental health, making us feel worse instead of better. It can be useful to be aware of these dangerous sayings and to replace them with more healthy sayings about emotions. In this blog post, we will discuss 3 old sayings about emotions and their healthy alternatives.
1) Replacing “Mind Over Matter” with “Understanding My Emotions Is My Superpower”
Emotions are often seen as a sign of weakness, especially in our society where we are expected to be tough and suppress our feelings. But the truth is that emotions are a natural part of being human. Learning to recognize and feel your emotions can become a superpower for your life. When you understand how you are feeling, you are better equipped to handle difficult situations. Your emotions can provide insight into what is important to you and what you need to be fulfilled. Ignoring or suppressing your emotions can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
When you acknowledge your emotions, you are showing yourself self-care. Loving yourself enough to care for yourself can change your entire life. Taking the time to feel your emotions and address them can improve your mental and physical well-being.
2) Replacing “Just Get Over It” with “My Emotions Can Be My Guiding Compass”
One of the most dangerous sayings regarding emotions is “just get over it.” This phrase implies that emotions are insignificant and that we should suppress them. However, when understood, emotions can become a healthy compass for our lives that can steer us towards positive change.
Emotions can provide insight into our needs, desires, and values. When we suppress our emotions, we ignore the signals our bodies are sending us, leading to emotional numbing and detachment from our own experiences. Emotions give us important information about our internal world, and this knowledge can help us navigate our lives more effectively. By paying attention to our emotions, we can make more informed decisions about our relationships, careers, and goals.
Lastly, “just getting over” our emotions doesn’t address the root of the problem. When we take the time to understand and address our emotions, we can work through our problems and create a better future for ourselves.
3) Replacing “Emotions Are Weak” with “I Love Myself Enough To Feel My Feelings”
The saying “mind over matter” has been used for centuries, implying that with enough mental strength and willpower, one can overcome any physical or emotional obstacle. However, when it comes to emotions, this saying simply doesn’t hold true. Suppressing or ignoring your emotions may seem like the “strong” thing to do, but in reality, it can be quite damaging.
Learning to recognize and feel your feelings can provide us with a deeper understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. This understanding can lead to increased empathy, better relationships, and improved decision-making. We are not weak for feeling emotions, quite the opposite we are actually being strong enough to show up for ourselves.
Allowing yourself to feel and express your emotions can be a sign of strength and courage. By giving yourself permission to be vulnerable, you are demonstrating self-love and care. Loving yourself enough to care for yourself can change your entire life. This process of self-discovery can be challenging, but the benefits of embracing your emotions are well worth it. So the next time you are tempted to see emotions as a weakness, remember that when understood and processed correctly they can actually become a strength that can guide you to a better life.
At Recovery Ways we have over a decade of experience helping those who are seeking to improve their mental health including specializing in supporting healing with anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder, PTSD, and more. We have a thriving alumni program with many who support each other in their new found freedoms of a life of sobriety. We offer a wide range of services including Detox, Residential Treatment, PHP, and IOP therapy to help those in need. Please contact us today if we can be of assistance in getting your life unstuck and back to finding more purpose and joy. We accept most major insurances.
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