I think the phrase ‘feelings are the music of the heart’ beautifully captures the idea that emotions can be similar to the melodies and harmonies that resonate within us.
Just like music, emotions can be powerful and evocative, reaching deep into our souls, stirring memories, and connecting us to our innermost selves. They can be gentle and soothing like a soft melody or intense and passionate like a powerful symphony. Emotions, like music, can also vary greatly from person to person, reflecting the diversity of human experience.
Feelings Are The Music of The Heart
When we allow ourselves to feel and embrace our emotions, we experience the rich tapestry of life, just as when we listen to music, we can be moved by its beauty and complexity. Emotions can also serve as a source of inspiration, just like music does for many artists and creators.
Just as different genres of music evoke different moods, our emotions can also shape our perceptions and reactions to the world around us.
I’ve learnt, after many attempts to suppress my feelings that there is no morality to feelings – they are neither wrong, good or bad. Embracing our feelings, understanding them, and expressing them in healthy ways can lead to greater self-awareness and emotional well-being.
Let The Music Play
Avoiding or suppressing feelings is a common coping mechanism for many people, including me!
It’s important to note that suppressing or avoiding emotions can have negative consequences on our mental and emotional well-being.
Here are a few suggestions for dealing with feelings in a healthy way:
#1 Acknowledge and accept your emotions
Instead of trying to avoid or suppress your feelings, recognize and accept them as a natural part of being human. Understand that it’s okay to experience a wide range of emotions, including sadness, anger, fear, and joy.
#2 Create a safe space
Find a safe and comfortable environment where you can allow yourself to experience and express your emotions without judgment. This could be a quiet room, a journaling space, even a place of worship.
#3 Practice mindfulness and self-awareness
Engage in mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or body scans to help you become more aware of your emotions and sensations in the present moment. Mindfulness can help you observe your feelings without judgment and develop a better understanding of their underlying causes.
#4 Seek support
Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or a mental health professional who can provide a listening ear and offer guidance. Sharing your emotions with others can help alleviate their intensity and provide you with valuable perspective and support.
#5 Express yourself creatively
Find creative outlets that allow you to express your emotions in a healthy way. This could involve writing in a journal, painting, drawing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. Engaging in these activities can help you process and release your feelings.
#6 Practice self-care
Take care of your physical and mental well-being through activities that promote self-care. This can include getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
#7 Challenge negative thoughts
Negative thoughts can contribute to avoiding or suppressing emotions. Challenge these thoughts by examining their validity and replacing them with more realistic and positive alternatives. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques can be helpful in this process.
#8 Seek professional help if needed
If you find that avoiding or suppressing your feelings is significantly impacting your daily life, relationships, or overall well-being, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. They can provide you with appropriate guidance and support.
Remember, it’s essential to allow yourself to experience and process your emotions rather than avoiding them. By doing so, you can cultivate emotional resilience and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
For me, writing has been the best way to come to terms with and accept my feelings. It has also been a way to process my hurts and start healing. I would love to help you, dear reader, to find a way to heal through your writing. Do contact me and we can chat about this.
Image Credits: Pixabay
I resonate with this so much Corinne. Yes, feelings are neither right nor wrong is what I’m trying to accept after almost half my life got done. Probably that’s why journalling gives me satisfaction. I’m glad I also have a passion for music, that also channelises my unspoken, raw, half understood feelings…. Or it could be toxic for me, to not ventilate this. Thnx.
It’s never to late to try to undo our conditioning, Bernie! I’m glad that you’ve found outlets for your emotions that help you.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Mother-Daughter Relationships
I agree, it is very important to deal with our feelings and process them instead of just pushing them down. Writing and music are two things that have helped me a lot in that.
Yes, the best part is that we have so many ways to process our feelings. I’m glad you have your ‘go-tos’, Lesley.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Mother-Daughter Relationships
This is a great insight, Corinne, “Just as different genres of music evoke different moods, our emotions can also shape our perceptions and reactions to the world around us.” I remember when our children were little, we watched a little teaching on how music affects our perception. The film showed a lady jogging with fearful music playing. It had us all looking over our shoulders! Then it showed the same clip with happy, peppy music and it made us want to jump up and move along with the beat. The film was teaching how music affects the movies/films we are watching and our perception of the event taking place before our eyes.
Lisa Blair recently posted..Make Music unto the Lord
Oh wow! That sounds like a great teaching. And so true about music. Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Healing With Grace
They called me the Man of Stone,
said I played like stainless steel
because no wounding to the bone
could ever hint to or reveal
that which lay guarded within,
not ever placed on public view.
They called it pride, that mortal sin,
but here is what they never knew,
that l learned early to be strong,
that those who spoke love would betray
to make a right of what was wrong,
that I’d rue each and every day
that I opened up my heart
to be invaded, torn apart.
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser recently posted..Afraid
Thank you for your lovely poem, Andrew. So true about how we guard our hearts from heart – and attempt to keep ourselves from strong feelings.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Reviewing My Gratitude Practices
I love this analogy you’re using here, Corinne. My emotions can sometimes feel like they are all over the place, just like music can be. They can fluctuate from hour to hour, they can sometimes feel good and sometimes feel hard, but recognizing their fluidity has been a helpful thing for me. The concept of impermanence, although sometimes distressing, can bring a lot of comfort, especially in difficult times.
Thank you for sharing, Lisa. I’m learning to let my feelings lead me to indicate what deeper issues they might be flagging off. So rather than fight them, I try to see what they are telling me. Not easy especially when I’m feeling low – I don’t even have the energy to process why. But I am working on not feeling guilty about feelings – they are not good or bad – they just are!
This is such a relevant post and so happy to see you are offering writing as a channel to express and heal.
This resonated deeply.
Love
Thank you for your constant support and encouragement, Natasha. It means a lot.