Write for how you are, really

Are you telling yourself to feel something you don't?

Hello Dear One, 

This is my insight of the week: I keep telling myself I’m afraid. 

As a self-love practice, I started writing notes to myself to read in the morning; yesterday’s began with I know everything feels scary right now. I’m used to talking to myself in this way, being warm and compassionate. It changed my life. But here’s the thing – I didn’t feel afraid. 

There’s a fine line between feeling your feelings and predicting or inflating them. I remember being in tears on a birthday because I thought I ‘should’ feel good, but not how I felt. It’s why I often start workshops with the question: how are you, really?

Yesterday I felt good in my body, and light in my heart. The dominant emotion wasn’t fear, it was love for my dog who had an adorable haircut; pride in finishing a scene in my novel that went somewhere unexpected; excitement at starting a new day on my terms, gratitude for the people who have helped make that happen.

And (we get to use that word) I am attempting to do something different: finish a book, build a successful business, decide where I want to live and find a way to make it happen. It doesn’t mean I need to live in fear.

What emotions are you addicted to? Where are you not making space for what’s real? How are you, really?

Thanks for being here and being you.

All love,

Jo

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