Nurturing Your Inner Self

Emotions are an integral part of the human experience. They ebb and flow, coloring our perceptions and responses to the world around us. Yet, when it comes to dealing with our emotions, the act of validation often takes a back seat. Validating our emotions, however, is a powerful tool for coping with them in healthy ways. It involves acknowledging, labeling, and accepting our feelings without judgment. 

Emotional validation is a simple yet profound process. It begins with acknowledging the presence of an emotion. Instead of brushing it aside or suppressing it, we consciously recognize and label what we are feeling. This process might sound like, "I am feeling anxious," "I am sad," or "I am excited." Next, we examine the event or circumstance that triggered this emotional response. By doing so, we give our emotions context and acknowledge their validity. For instance, "I am feeling anxious because of an upcoming presentation" or "I am sad because of a recent loss."

Crucially, emotional validation entails refraining from self-judgment. We remind ourselves that our feelings are natural and human. There is no right or wrong when it comes to how we feel. We do our best to replace self-criticism with self-compassion, and recognize that emotions are a part of our shared human experience.

To begin practicing emotional validation, start by checking in with yourself. Close your eyes and take a moment to tune in to your body and mind. Observe any sensations, thoughts, or emotions that arise without trying to change them. You can ask yourself, "How am I feeling right now?" Then, allow yourself to identify and name the emotion. It might be joy, sadness, anger, contentment, or any other feeling. Then, connect this emotion to its underlying cause. What triggered this emotional response? Give yourself permission to explore the source without judgment.

The act of validating your emotions can be transformative. It creates a safe and nurturing space within yourself for self-understanding, emotional release, the opportunity to grow resilience, and improve our relationships where feelings can be acknowledged and accepted. So, take a moment to ask yourself, "How am I feeling right now?" As emotional validation is a practice of self-compassion and self-awareness, and you may just discover a profound well of resilience and self-compassion within you.

In discovery,

Pamela