Permission to Feel – A Beginner’s Guide to Psychotherapy
Understanding and acknowledging our emotions is fundamental to mental health. Yet, many struggle with this basic aspect of self-care. This post explores the importance and ways of giving ourselves permission to feel, a cornerstone in psychotherapy, and its transformative power for those new to therapy.
Permission to feel means allowing yourself to experience and express your emotions without judgment. Think of emotions as water flowing in a river. Just as water needs to flow freely, emotions need to move through us without obstruction. When we give ourselves permission to feel, we allow this natural flow, preventing emotional stagnation and promoting mental well-being.
Why We Struggle to Feel
Societal and cultural norms often teach us to suppress emotions. Phrases like "boys don't cry" or "stay strong" contribute to emotional repression. Many people share personal anecdotes of being told to "get over it" or "move on," making it hard to validate their feelings. Imagine trying to block a river; the water builds up and eventually causes more damage. Similarly, blocking our emotions leads to stuck energy in our body which may lead to long term psychological issues.
Benefits of Allowing Yourself to Feel
Emotional Health: Accepting emotions reduces stress and prevents emotional build up.
Improved Relationships: Better emotional awareness leads to healthier communication.
Personal Growth: Understanding emotions fosters self-awareness and resilience.
When emotions are allowed to flow, like water, they come and go naturally. This process prevents them from becoming overwhelming or getting stuck, leading to a balanced emotional state.
How Therapy Helps Grant Permission to Feel
Therapists use various tools to help clients embrace their emotions:
Active Listening: Creating a safe space for clients to express themselves.
Validation: Affirming clients' feelings and experiences.
Mindfulness Exercises: Encouraging present-moment awareness to fully experience emotions.
Practical Steps to Start Giving Yourself Permission to Feel
Acknowledge Your Emotions: Name what you're feeling without judgment.
Practice Mindfulness: Use mindfulness exercises to stay present with your emotions.
Write it Down: Journaling can help articulate and process feelings.
Seek Support: Consider talking to a therapist to explore your emotions safely.
Imagine your emotions as a stream of water. When you acknowledge them, you allow them to flow naturally. When you suppress them, it's like building a dam – eventually, the pressure builds up and causes more harm.
Granting yourself permission to feel is a powerful step towards emotional well-being. Therapy can also provide the tools and support needed to embrace this process.
Remember, your emotions are valid and deserve to be acknowledged, just as water deserves to flow freely.
