Two Simple Questions That Changed How I Process My Feelings

 

Over the last few months, I’ve been making a real effort to focus more on my feelings—something I mentioned in a recent newsletter. It’s been quite the journey, and along the way, I discovered two simple questions that have made a big difference in how I process my emotions. I wanted to share them with you, in case they help you too. I do this as journaling practice, one so I can get it all out and on paper and two I can reread it later to help me process new emotions as they arise.

1.              What am I feeling?
This might sound like an easy one, but when was the last time you really stopped to name exactly what you were feeling? I was talking to my therapist about how I tend to react quickly in certain situations, and I said I wanted to change that. Then he asked me, “What were you feeling in that moment?” Honestly, all I could come up with were the usual suspects: mad, angry, sad.

But here’s the thing—I realized I was limiting myself to just a few basic emotions. We tend to default to happy, sad, angry, or mad (and three of those aren’t exactly positive!). The truth is, we experience a much wider range of emotions like frustrated, overwhelmed, resentful, disappointed, anxious, hopeful, or even conflicted. (On the positive side: joyful, fulfilled, motivated, proud, grateful) Taking the time to get specific about what I’m really feeling has been a game changer.

2. Why am I feeling this way?
Now, this question? It’s a deep one—and sometimes it feels like falling down a rabbit hole! But digging into why something upsets me has been eye-opening. It’s not always easy, but when I take the time to understand the root cause of my emotions, I feel more in control and less reactive.

I’ve found that these two simple questions help me pause, reflect, and respond to situations in a way that makes me feels healthier and more intentional. Maybe they’ll do the same for you!

Have you ever tried asking yourself these questions? I’d love to hear how you process your feelings or if you have any tools that help you navigate emotional ups and downs. Join my email list and let's stay connected CLICK HERE.