Label it

I learned the power of labeling thoughts and feelings during an extremely tough period of my life. I was angry and sooooooo frustrated with circumstances and what happened to me. But I was at a loss of what to do and found myself spinning. I learned through a continuing education series that if you label your feelings or what’s going on for you then you can figure out how to manage it. Let me explain.

Saying I am pissed off and angry and XYZ helped me finally put better words to all the swirling thoughts and emotions around my event. I know what to do when I am angry, and I have proven ways I manage anger. But until I finally labeled and broke down the storm of emotions and thoughts and frustrations it just felt like a ball of chaos and I wasnt sure why or how to get rid of it. Having a clear label on what we are experiencing helps make it seem a little less isolating and usually we have encountered something similar - or have been angry before so we can pull out methods and ways we typically use when angry.

Im not belittling these events or feelings, but having the power to better know what this swirling thing is going on in our head will help us take the next steps to better work through and manage it. We might need more self care, a day alone, a conversation with a trusted love one, or maybe we need more professional help from a clinician. You are your own best expert of how you problem solve and how you have moved through all your hard days. Next time you find yourself spinning in a loop unsure what the issue is, work to better label it and get to the root of what this really is. And then work through how you manage grief, anger, or whatever is showing up.