A while ago, I was on a camping trip where the full moon played the uninvited guest. On the first night, its luminous presence didn’t trouble me much, a silent sentinel watching over my tent.

But then, on the second night, someone pointed it out. Suddenly, I couldn’t unsee it. The moonlight’s brilliance seemed to grow, filling every corner of my awareness. As sleep became elusive, my frustration with the brightness of the moon grew.
Cultivating a deeper awareness of our emotional experiences is similar.
Those physiological whispers in our bodies—a racing heart, a hollow chest, a tightness wrapping us up—often go unnoticed until we start to shine a light on them. When we’ve spent years suppressing these sensations, learning to ignore the signals of distress and discomfort in our bodies, our newfound awareness can feel overwhelming. The once-muted sensations of our inner world becomes too intense, too distracting.
And yet, I’m here to tell you, that’s okay. It’s normal. It’s even part of the process. If you’ve ever thought, “It was easier when I didn’t feel so much,” you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. Just like I found it easier before I noticed the moonlight pouring into my tent.
I could have let myself lament the presence of the full moon. Or I could reflect on what's in my control and do something about it.
I opted for the later. So, I grabbed a t-shirt, draped it across my face, and blocked out the light. I adapted.
Adapting to recognize and manage our emotions is a bit more nuanced. It requires ongoing effort, the development of new skills, and the support of others. It’s a journey of ups and downs. Where we learn to notice and name what we feel without fueling, judging or repressing it.
But here’s the thing, when we do the emotional work, we unlock a life of greater ease, joy, and vitality. Stress no longer takes root in our bodies, energy flows more freely, we're better problem solver. And our relationships become richer and more satisfying.
Afterall, our emotions are simply signals from our body to pay attention and make conscious choices. Like the weather forecasters, they predictions our emotions make aren't always right.
But they are valuable indicators that are an inherent part of our humanity, our neurophysiology.
The pathway to greater Emotional Intelligence isn’t always smooth. Unlike the moonlight in my tent, which was a simple fix, developing emotional competency requires patience, persistence and compassion.
But as the wise Glennon Doyle reminds us, "We can do hard things." We were made to feel. Relearning this innate skill is our way forward through the challenges and uncertainties that lie in front of us.
So, if the your emotions feel like too much right now, take heart. You can adapt. You can find the tools, and support, that bring you towards peace. You can navigate the hard feelings and let them become part of your life’s beauty without them taking over. We all can.
Kommentare