What You Feel Is Not Who You Are...

Are you feeling down, overwhelmed, sad or stuck? When those emotions hit, it's easy to let them take over and define who you are by saying things like “I’m depressed” or “I’m overwhelmed” or “I’m stuck”. But here's the thing: YOU are not YOUR EMOTIONS.  

Sure, you may be feeling depressed, overwhelmed, sad, or stuck - but that doesn't mean those emotions define you. They are just temporary feelings passing through, not a permanent state of being.

The language you use to describe yourself has a powerful impact on how you perceive yourself and therefore how you behave. If you define yourself as depressed you will act in ways that reinforce that definition - such as being tired, withdrawn and unmotivated.

Instead, if you describe yourself as feeling depressed, you can begin to separate your identity from your emotions. You can then acknowledge that you are experiencing negative feelings, without letting them define you or dictate your behavior.

After all, definitions are permanent. Emotions and descriptions are temporary.  One day you feel one way, one day you can choose to feel another.

By recognizing that emotions are transient and that you have the power to choose how you describe yourself, you can begin to shift your perspective and take different actions. You can choose to reframe your statements, change your focus and adjust how you feel - one small step at a time.

So the next time you're feeling down, remember that you have the power to choose how you describe yourself and how you respond to your emotions. Don't let your emotions define you - define yourself by your actions and your choices.

How do you describe yourself?

Contact us at: rochelle@emotionalbp.com