How to feel feelings. Feelings  are something we all experience.  
How to feel feelings. Feelings  are something we all experience.  

Sadness, happiness, fear, hope, anger, peace. These are just a few examples of the thousands of  
Sadness, happiness, fear, hope, anger, peace. These are just a few examples of the thousands of  

different feelings we might experience over our lifetime. As humans, we spend most of  
different feelings we might experience over our lifetime. As humans, we spend most of  

our time thinking about or talking about our feelings, instead of feeling them. Our feelings  
our time thinking about or talking about our feelings, instead of feeling them. Our feelings  

are on our minds a lot, but having feelings and actually feeling them are two different things.  
are on our minds a lot, but having feelings and actually feeling them are two different things.  

So what are feelings and why is  feeling your feelings important?  
So what are feelings and why is  feeling your feelings important?  

Feelings are actually messages that your body and mind are sending you about how you are emotionally  
Feelings are actually messages that your body and mind are sending you about how you are emotionally  

experiencing something. That means that feelings are actually never right or wrong or good or bad.  
experiencing something. That means that feelings are actually never right or wrong or good or bad.  

They are just a reflection of the  sensations that are happening in the moment.  
They are just a reflection of the  sensations that are happening in the moment.  

Sometimes we may have lots of different sensations or feelings at the same time.  
Sometimes we may have lots of different sensations or feelings at the same time.  

We may often ignore or try to  get rid of feelings we don't like.  
We may often ignore or try to  get rid of feelings we don't like.  

We may also cling too hard or chase  the feelings that make us feel good.  
We may also cling too hard or chase  the feelings that make us feel good.  

Both of these approaches can affect our ability to see things clearly. And what you do with feelings  
Both of these approaches can affect our ability to see things clearly. And what you do with feelings  

can have an impact on other areas of your life. Trying to pretend that feelings aren't  
can have an impact on other areas of your life. Trying to pretend that feelings aren't  

there, or to distract yourself, doesn't make them go away. They're already here. Instead  
there, or to distract yourself, doesn't make them go away. They're already here. Instead  

of trying to get rid of your feelings, it may be helpful to identify and care for your feelings.  
of trying to get rid of your feelings, it may be helpful to identify and care for your feelings.  

Just like a text, you have options for what you'd like to do with it when you get the notification.  
Just like a text, you have options for what you'd like to do with it when you get the notification.  

You can read it. Not read it. Respond. Not respond. You can also wait until you have better reception.  
You can read it. Not read it. Respond. Not respond. You can also wait until you have better reception.  

What's important is to recognize that  a text came in and make a decision.  
What's important is to recognize that  a text came in and make a decision.  

Like a text, we don't need to react to every feeling right away. Maybe you're doing something  
Like a text, we don't need to react to every feeling right away. Maybe you're doing something  

really important. Or maybe you don't have the energy to deal with it in this moment,  
really important. Or maybe you don't have the energy to deal with it in this moment,  

but do consider coming back to it later. It can be easier to let them go once the feelings have  
but do consider coming back to it later. It can be easier to let them go once the feelings have  

said what they needed to. Feelings are things that can tell you that something matters to  
said what they needed to. Feelings are things that can tell you that something matters to  

you. What we value can make us feel vulnerable. If we become numb to our feelings, it can dull  
you. What we value can make us feel vulnerable. If we become numb to our feelings, it can dull  

all of our experiences. The uncomfortable ones and the incredible ones. When we allow ourselves  
all of our experiences. The uncomfortable ones and the incredible ones. When we allow ourselves  

to feel blue in sad moments, we also allow ourselves to feel true joy in happy moments.  
to feel blue in sad moments, we also allow ourselves to feel true joy in happy moments.  

Ignoring or pushing away our feelings can lead to coping strategies that may be harmful to ourselves  
Ignoring or pushing away our feelings can lead to coping strategies that may be harmful to ourselves  

or others, like taking feelings out on others, avoiding those around you, disordered eating and  
or others, like taking feelings out on others, avoiding those around you, disordered eating and  

substance use. Constantly trying to break away from feelings can be exhausting. It may be helpful to  
substance use. Constantly trying to break away from feelings can be exhausting. It may be helpful to  

experience temporary discomfort from our feelings than to develop long-term unhelpful habits.  
experience temporary discomfort from our feelings than to develop long-term unhelpful habits.  

Remember, feeling your feelings takes  practice, but with time effort and a  
Remember, feeling your feelings takes  practice, but with time effort and a  

little patience, caring for our feelings  and working with them will become easier.
little patience, caring for our feelings  and working with them will become easier.