A great example of categorizing and judging in mental health is labeling emotions as positive or negative.
In reality, emotions are neutralthey are simply pieces of data, and they are neither good nor bad.
Emotional responses also give us information about how we are reacting to our inner world and outer experiences.
What are shadow emotions?
This is why I label emotions described as negative asshadow emotions.
Shadow emotions are part of what it means to be human.
Shadow emotions are the wise part of ourselves asking to be cared for and acknowledged.
How to identify your shadow emotions.
Here are four ways to identify and embrace your shadow emotions:
Label your emotional experiences.
Describe in detail how you are feeling.
Perhaps lonely, depleted or exhausted, depressed, or hopeless?
(Here’s anonline assessment for mothersI developed to help you go deeper.)
Pay attention to your thoughts around those emotions.
Pay attention to the thoughts you are having regarding this emotional response (sometimes referred to as yourmeta-emotions).
Are your thoughts critical statements about yourself?
An interaction or a situation?
Perhaps your thoughts are centered on a past event it’s possible for you to’t let go of.
How would you describe your thoughts?
Worry about the future?
Are you frustrated and angry?
Paying attention to your thoughts is another way to help be specific in identifying and labeling shadow emotions.
Let go of judgment.
Often, we have to unlearn the inaccurate messages received and embrace our emotions, including the shadow emotions.
Embrace your shadow emotions.
Managing shadow emotions is an act of self-care that will promote health and well-being.
Embracing shadow emotions can feel overwhelming at first.
