How Are You Managing Your Emotional World?

by Tonya Ratliff, LPC, ACS

Tonya Ratliff is the Owner and Director of Counseling Services for Trinity Family Counseling Center. In addition to her individual, couple, and family clients, Tonya is also the lead facilitator of the Walk With Me® Grief Support Group, an aftercare program sponsored by Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home in Utica, MI.

Have you ever tried to keep a beach ball under the surface of the water in a swimming pool?

​The task requires A LOT of energy and focus, and ultimately results in our giving up when we can no longer sustain the effort. We reach a point of exhaustion and finally allow the ball to breach the surface of the water with a force of explosive power. We laugh, we giggle, and we finally relax our body after the effort required to keep the ball submerged has ended.

Have you ever realized the concentrated psychic vigilance you are exerting when you try to keep your emotions ‘pushed down?’ Like the submerged beach ball, our emotions need to surface and be acknowledged. Then, and only then, can we relax and let go of the preoccupation with avoiding and guarding our feelings of anxiety, depression and of course, anger. The fear of finally letting our feelings emerge can paralyze us, leaving us preoccupied, and with no energy for enjoying the moments of our daily lives.

Can you begin to imagine how your life might be different if you were to let your feelings be known to others? Instead of exhausting yourself with the relentless pursuit of keeping that ball of emotion contained?

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