In the confinements of my mind, I deny my feelings. It’s a coping strategy that I mistakenly think is healthy and is the right thing to do. At the age of 22 I’m starting to feel the effects of abandoning my emotions. I’m scared to express how I am feeling without others judging me. I find myself wondering exactly when I outgrew emotional bravery. Maybe it got lost somewhere in junior high amidst social anxieties and trying to fit in. I’ve adjusted my expectations, avoiding the hard, the difference, and the vulnerable. I’ve learned tricks that closes the gap between reality and expectations just to make it a little easier. Who needs to express their emotions in a healthy manner? Those who are surrounded by me will get what I’m trying to say, …show more content…
The ability to communicate my feelings can be strengthened through practice. Providing the space to be open about personal experiences can lead to better communication skills. Currently I am still in the process of learning how to be more straightforward with people when the complaint is one that affects our relationship. I have to keep in mind that just because I’ve known someone for a long period of time does not mean they can read my mind. Storytelling allows those who are listening to understand exactly how I feel. I hold back on my words and resort to giving people the silent treatment, which is passive and immature. Ultimately, I feel as through the goal in storytelling is to not take flight in an in-person discussion, rather to absorb the information, reflect, and respond to the matter in a thoughtful manner no matter how uncomfortable and unpleasant it may be. Juretić and Zivcic-Becirevic (2013) implies that suppression of emotion leads to decreased expression of positive and negative emotions, thus leads to an inference with the relationship. Therefore, expressing emotions are significant mediators. Communication is a skill that takes practice. I am doing my best to frequently express my opinions. Prior researchers have conducted studies among people who suffer from mental illness and disorders such Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). According to Krpan et al., (2013) implemented expressive writing (EW) which, …show more content…
By journaling, I can reflect upon the highs and low of my day and what could I have done better. I am able to free my mind each day, which allows me to center my thoughts. Now that I am doing counseling sessions, and my mom is very aware of the anxiety I feel when I bottle everything inside, she has the tendency to ask me “How was your day?” I proceed to be open and honest in order to no fall through the cracks of depression. Research suggests that creative therapy and expression of art is a great process for healing emotional behaviors. Stuckey and Nobel (2010) discuss topics on psychological and physiological engagements that can reduce anxiety, negative emotions, and other psychological states that are impacting individuals. Engaging in music, expressive writing, creative expression, and visual art therapy fostered positive outcomes of health and wellness. The way in which I have felt when I shut down compares to none. Currently, I enjoy releasing everything I feel on paper, which allows me to express myself in multiple ways. In the end, improving my communication skills and lowering my anxiety level is the ultimate goal I am trying to achieve. Hubbs and Brand (2005) states journaling allows the writer to gain the ability to connect internal processes with their external realities. The journaling process allows me to be open and self-aware of my actions and my perceptions on life. I have much to do
In order to live a full, "wholehearted" life, we need to gain a better understanding of the true nature of vulnerability. Millions of children have been introduced to vulnerability by author J. D. Salinger. Salinger was vulnerable to rejection, criticism, failing. His novel, I’m sure you know it, “The Catcher in the Rye” was rejected 15 times. One editor tossed it aside as juvenile. Perhaps you remember the book’s last lines: “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you’ll start missing everybody.” Sure Holden Caulfield put up a tough front but the character created by Salinger is endearing and enduring even to this day – in large part because of his vulnerability. So if we want joy, love, and empathy in our lives, we need to let vulnerability into our hea...
Writing is a type of art because it requires you to think and be creative in the way you want it to be. I have a diary that I wrote almost everyday. They help me think about my day and sometimes turn my bad day into a good day. I write whatever comes into my head at that moment, and reflect on my day. Writing make me think deeper to what happen and help me turn my negative thought to positive. Writing is a very powerful tool. When I write, I have the power to change the story. I am the author of my own story so I can be as creative as I want.
Listening is a vital and important part of communication. While speaking clearly and concisely is imperative, true listening is central to speaking with mindfulness and in the case of the counselor, this mindfulness has the possibility of leading clients to their own solutions to life’s tough circumstances. In his book, Petersen (2007) breaks down the communication cycle so that we can be aware of how we react when people share their emotions with us, and how to effectively communicate by listening and speaking in turn to build strong and supportive relationships, whether they are personal or professional.
Stress is everywhere, one in eight Americans complain about being stressed. Thus, from stress people tend to get anxiety, depression, and feel unhappy with whatever situation is bringing them down. Writing as a form of therapy has been around much longer than we think. A lot of the time when reading poems or short stories we don’t even notice the flow of emotion that is vented through the piece of work. This has been said to be a huge stress reliever, by writing down your thought and feelings people can sit back after read their situation and look at it with a somewhat clear head. In Cangialosi’s article she states “Writing is not only a salve but often a tool that opens our minds and hearts to things that are deep inside us”
Morrie expresses that showing emotion is an important factor for living life. Morrie believes that people should not be ashamed of showing their emotions. He thinks it is healthy to show how we feel and that it is perfectly fine to express those feelings. He states, “If you hold back on the emotions- you can never get to being detached, you’re too busy being afraid” (Albom, 104). I agree with Morrie’s belief that it is important to fully feel emotions and should not be
They argue that therapists should consider their own motivation to self-disclose and set boundaries. The therapists should never put their own needs above the client. They make sure to point out that self discourse alone cannot affect the outcome of treatment. Self-disclosure is effective only if it is used appropriately and only if it is used when it is necessary. The amount of information disclosed and when it is disclosed is also important. Therapists should draw a clear line with the amount of intimacy to include in their therapeutic disclosure to ensure that no inappropriate boundaries are crossed. The authors suggest two rules of thumb to follow when disclosing information which include: (a) “Why do I want to say what I am about to say” and (b) “What will be the likely impact of the client” (p. 567).
When I was younger I did not have a journal. I was an only child, so I did not feel the need to hide my personal belongings. As I grew older I was diagnosed with a severe form of anxiety. I did not know how to cope with my feelings. When I was told to visit a therapist, I had mixed emotions on attending the sessions, because I did not like the idea of opening up to a stranger. My therapist thought writing down my daily emotions in a journal would help me to learn how to process my thoughts. Joan also stated in her piece of work that she felt expressing her feelings through a journal is healthy. As time went on, and I became older I started to learn more about myself. Keeping a journal has helped me tremendously in my daily life. It has taught me what triggers my anxiety, allowed me to figure how to prevent it, but also gave me a time that I can call "me time”. + Having read Joan Didion’s “On Keeping a Notebook,” I am going to discuss the importance of
The author states, that by journaling an individual can begin to express the activities of the heart and start the process of becoming informed by what is known as the imaginal method in psychology circles. This method is a form of emotional exploration of interactions, relationships, and ideas. The ultimate goal of the imaginal method is to become aware of those inner suppressed emotions that affect relationships and perception. Utilizing this process, an individual would then reflect on ideas and thoughts that have been captured during the free-write period of journaling. Quite often what is revealed can be quite surprising and transforming at the same
Music has often been the release for some of our most troublesome times. If you are angry or sad, you go home and put in a song that relates to your feelings, making you feel better. I personally, write when I'm not in the best mood. Whether I'm depressed, angry, or whatever, I know that the pen is my one true friend, and the parchment will never tell me lies. Many people fail to see this as therapy. They see it as cursing, vulgarity, etc., just for the hell of it. This is not true in most cases.
I also find this to be true in my personal life because I enjoy helping my family and my husband in making their lives easier, even if it’s just small acts of service, like making dinner after a long day of work. One weakness that I have always struggled with and that the test revealed to me is the fact that I am unlikely to express my needs or feelings to others, which in turn, causes pent up anger or frustrations. This can limit my success in life because I am more likely to forget about my personal feelings and need to be happy. I tend to bottle up my feelings until one day I just can’t take anymore and I explode into a bunch of overwhelming emotions. I have been working on this for years and I am making progress to overcome showing my hidden feelings. I try to be honest with people if a certain situation arises and tell them how it makes me feel. I have come to realize that keeping things inside isn’t healthy and not fair to my happiness and well-being. This assignment was very helpful to me to see where adjustments can be made in my life to help me become more successful and to have a better understanding of myself and why I am the way I
How can your feelings affect you while writing? Is it good to express yourself in your writings? Many authors use their writings as a way to free themselves or escape from the real world. An example of this is Charlotte Perkins Gilman who wrote a short story named The Yellow Wallpaper (1892). In this short story, the author used her own experience with her depression after giving birth to share how she feels. Gilman shows in her writing how the perception of the society influences in a women illness, in which the best solution was isolated her.
When I was 14-years-old I suffered through mild depression and self-harm. I never spoke of it, but once my mother found out she forced me to go see a therapist. Not opening up, I lied to the therapist about my feelings, and didn't even make eye contact. But the doctor just passed me as mentally healthy based on the fact that I'm a smart kid 'cause I don't do drugs. Looking back at this experience I wish it had been a better one, it would’ve helped if I had someone that cared enough to notice I was obviously lying about my emotions. Me being an individual that has gone through struggle with their feelings. I want to be that person that actually cares and would be able to notice someone who obviously isn't opening up. Through high school I've been immensely fascinated with the human body, and most particularity the function of your brain. I feel during the time of depression my adolescent mind's growth was in tie with my actions, in result of my feelings.
Do you remember when your sister used to write in her diary and how curious you were on finding out what she wrote in it? If you didn’t have a sister – do you remember keeping your own diary hoping that your mom would not find it one day and read it? At a young age, we all learn to keep a diary or journal. In elementary school, we may have been required to write in a journal in class replying to a question asked by the teacher like “How was your weekend?” or “How was your break?” Simple questions were asked to help generate ideas in our young minds and help us write our own story. But now that we are older, do we still have the opportunity to write our own story the same way we used to? Are we still able to release our emotions and reflect on events in our lives? Though many people see keeping a journal as childish or a waste of time, the effects of recording ones thoughts are beneficial.
Emotions play a significant part in our daily lives, especially to our overall wellbeing whenever we share these experiences with other people. The ability to express and interpret emotions is an important skill that everyone can improve on that would greatly benefit their interpersonal communication. Our expressions accompany our emotions; they serve as windows that allow other people to know what we are feeling inside. There are several factors that influence how we communicate our feelings.
When I am confronted with a novel experience, meeting a new person, or dealing with life’s pressures, I play my fictional self and implode my thoughts and feelings. Historically, this has never worked long term because it increases stress exponentially. Yet, experiencing this defense mechanism for short periods of time may not be completely horrible as long as I recognize this and revert back to my honest self as soon as possible. Additionally, this implosion of possibly misconstrued, irrational thoughts and feelings may reach maximum capacity and overwhelm those around me. Aware of this, I should continually seek outlets to prevent this embarrassing