Honor Your Emotions?
What does that even mean?
There are times, more often than we realize, when the best course of action is to pause. Take a step back. Look up from all the doing and ask yourself:
What am I feeling?
And what are these emotions really about?
Recently I was in messy, mucky, emotional waters. Floundering in overwhelm. Not knowing the “how-to’s” for the next phase of a project.
When business gurus were taking up too much space in my head about showing up consistently, and “just do it”, I took a break. A complete detox from all social media, projects, course creation, writing, the whole enchilada — so I could show up fully for myself.
Emotional intimacy with my higher truth was my top priority. It’s the first of the foundational pieces I teach clients and the ‘getting back to basics’ I needed.
Most of us have been sold a bill of goods saying that emotions are something to manage, control, or overcome. Strength was measured by how well you could keep it together so you could “just do it”. But the truth is, your emotions aren’t a weakness to master, and they’re certainly not something to dismiss.
To honor your emotions means you stop pushing through, labeling them as inconvenient or “too much.” It means acknowledging what you feel without self-judgment. And asking what they’re really about and what they’re truly indicating.
Anger points to a form of injustice. Sadness speaks to loss or longing. Joy is a reminder of what’s aligned. Fear suggests practicing discernment between discomfort and danger.
Every emotion you feel is asking you to pause and pay attention.
When you ignore your emotions, you disconnect from your truth. You put on the polished face, play the role, and get through the day, but deep inside you feel that something’s off.
Honoring your emotions is saying, “I acknowledge what I feel, even when it’s messy and I trust myself enough to listen.” This isn’t about wallowing or letting emotions run the show. It’s about pausing to be with them.
Emotional intimacy with yourself lays the foundation for deeper intimacy with others. Think of it this way: honoring your emotions is respecting your humanity.
So, how do you begin? Start small. Pause long enough to ask, What am I feeling right now? Place a hand on your heart and breathe deep, even if it’s uncomfortable. Just for a moment. Let the tears come. Let the laughter bubble up. Let the anger give you information about where your boundaries need to be stronger.
Because honoring your emotions is honoring you.
Making emotional intimacy my top priority was the best gift I could have given myself. I’m still uncertain about the next “how-to’s” of my project but the overwhelm has dissipated, my nervous system has softened, I have the mental capacity to learn and my intuition is back on point.
The moment you choose emotional intimacy, you step into alignment with your truest self. And from that place, fulfillment stops being a far-off dream. It becomes the way you live, unrestricted.
Moment of reflection:
What am I feeling?
And what are these emotions really about?