Casting Light on The Spooky Territory of Feelings

Hi Chomi,

Waitse feelings are not make sure. One moment you’re all demure, along comes a trigger and then yeey it’s all messy. Nobody likes the messy, but it’s a part of our lives. Chomi, being triggered means something happens that suddenly makes you feel upset, scared, or angry because it reminds you of a past hurt — like when someone laughs and it takes you back to a time you were teased.

Feelings and emotions are different

Yes chomi, feelings and emotions are not the same thing. Emotions are reactions that human beings experience in response to events or situations. Feelings are how we interpret and give meaning to emotions like fear, anger, sadness, fear and happiness.

Think of emotions like data. When you have data on your phone you can surf the internet. Think of feelings like what you do on the internet, you can swipe through the gram, get on TikTok, or even stream your favourite podcast, music or movies you see?

Where does it get spooky?

When our nervous system — the body’s messaging network that helps us move, feel, think, and react — doesn’t have a steady sense of safety, past experiences can create triggers that make us react strongly to certain situations.. When a current emotional situation triggers a past feeling, yoh mntase that’s where it feels really scary because your nervous system remembers how when this emotion came up before you felt unsafe. So in the moment – the emotion is a gateway to that feeling to enter your life again.

Breathwork is important

Breathing brings your mind and focus to the present. While the feeling the memory brings up is valid, sometimes what’s happening in the moment isn’t what happened when you may have felt unsafe. Breathwork brings your attention to the moment you’re living in at the moment.

By bypassing the past memory with breathwork chomi you:

• Allow yourself to hold safe space in the moment for yourself
• Give yourself the chance to respond and not just react
• Give yourself the chance to imprint a safer memory of the emotion in nervous system
• Therefore change the feeling associated with the emotion
• Heal yourself in real-time.

It’s not easy to do, and it takes lots of practice and even with it, you won't always get it right. Kodwa I believe in you, mntase! Phela wena o star. Not because you always get it right, but because for your mental health and well-being you always try your best.

If you ever need support along your journey, Big Sis gotchu.

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