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Honoring Disgust

10/18/2023

Honoring disgust starts with being present and aware. When we acknowledge the sensations we feel in our bodies and the emotions connected to our sensations, we can more fully experience the disgust in our lives. More subtle emotions like disappointment, repulsion, hesitancy, avoidance, and judgement add depth to the core emotion of disgust.

In your body, you may feel burning, shaky, queasy, nauseated, pulsing, choking, quivering, and unsettled.

For me, disgust shows up in my gut first. I notice the unsettled, queasy feeling in my belly. Sometimes I feel shaky, sometimes I feel my heart beat in my stomach. It can be helpful to identify the sensations and emotions that signify disgust.

When you are aware of how you feel and what situations evoke disgust, you can make more authentic choices, practice self-care, and honor the wisdom of your emotions.

According to Hilary Jacobs Hendel's book "It's Not Always Depression", disgust seeks release. Release can mean different things to different people. For me, the word release brings to mind “just let it go” and “get over it” which are two phrases that have felt dismissive. Over time, I’ve realized that I can let go and get over things when there is action taken along with the release. So, release now means letting go of the intense emotions (most often through breathing) so that I can see more clearly what change (if any) might need to come next.

Tracking your disgust can be enlightening. By noting what's happening at times you feel disgust you can begin to identify patterns. Here's what I noticed brought disgust when I tracked it for a week:

Humans using shops, sidewalks, grass as their garbage can.
Humans damaging property and endangering lives.
Target locking up items to avoid theft and putting employees and customers at risk with this choice.

I tend to get anger and disgust confused in my mind, but there’s definitely a difference in my body. And I can see how they need different nourishment. For me, anger needs a reduction in movement and disgust needs an increase in movement. When I’m feeling the ick in my gut, I choose to breathe, briefly vent to a friend, and/or journal. By tracking your disgust, it's possible to gain deeper insights into what brings judgement.

It takes presence, patience, and practice to honor and nurture your emotions. Take your time and remember that caring for your emotions with compassion is deep self-care!

If you'd like more emotion education, check out:

Linsday Braman's Emotion-Sensation-Feeling Wheel Handout
Hilary Jacobs Hendel's book It's Not Always Depression: Working the Change Triangle to Listen to the Body, Discover Core Emotions, and Connect to Your Authentic Self
Brené Brown's book Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
Dr. Tracy Marks YouTube Video Claim Your Emotions: How to Identify and Name What You're Feeling

If you'd like guidance on honoring your disgust, I have created an Disgust Journal, which is available for purchase on the Present to Beauty Etsy shop.

Click the above image to go to Etsy

This 8 page journal includes:

Information on disgust
Four journal prompts
Space to note how to best nourish your disgust
A disgust tracker
Space for reflection
A 4x6 printable photo reminder

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Honoring Anger

10/11/2023

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Honoring anger starts with being present and aware. When we acknowledge the sensations we feel in our bodies and the emotions connected to our sensations, we can more fully experience the anger in our lives. More subtle emotions like hurt, hostility, frustration, resentment, and dismissiveness add depth to the core emotion of anger.

In your body, you may feel clenched, hot, prickly, constricted, tense, pushed, agitated, and pressured.

For me, anger shows up in my face first. I notice the clenching in my jaw, the pressure in my temples. Sometimes I catch myself serving up eye-rolls, side-eyes, and slow blinks. It can be helpful to identify the sensations and emotions that signify anger.

When you are aware of how you feel and what situations evoke anger, you can make more authentic choices, practice self-care, and honor the wisdom of your emotions.

According to Hilary Jacobs Hendel's book "It's Not Always Depression", anger seeks boundaries. Boundaries can mean different things to different people. For me, setting boundaries means making different choices for myself. A few years ago, I thought setting boundaries meant only communicating expectations. Both are needed, but now I have a better sense of what I can actually control...me. Finding ways to set boundaries that work for you has the potential to learn more from your anger.

Tracking your anger can be enlightening. By noting what's happening at times you feel angry, you can begin to identify patterns. Here's what I noticed brought anger when I tracked it for a week:

People in my personal space, especially for extended periods.
Being delivered monologues.
Being interrupted with (seemingly) unimportant requests when trying to complete a task.

For me, anger comes from my space being invaded. It comes from other’s demands. It comes from self-centered behavior. It comes from entitlement. By tracking your anger, it's possible to gain deeper insights into what brings irritation.

Linsday Braman's Emotion-Sensation-Feeling Wheel Handout
Hilary Jacobs Hendel's book It's Not Always Depression: Working the Change Triangle to Listen to the Body, Discover Core Emotions, and Connect to Your Authentic Self
Brené Brown's book Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
Dr. Tracy Marks YouTube Video Claim Your Emotions: How to Identify and Name What You're Feeling

If you’d like more on boundaries, check out: Nedra Glover Tawwab’s Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself

If you'd like guidance on honoring your anger, I have created an Anger Journal, which is available for purchase on the Present to Beauty Etsy shop.

Click the above image to go to Etsy

This 8 page journal includes:

Information on anger
Four journal prompts
Space to note how to best nourish your anger
A anger tracker
Space for reflection
A 4x6 printable photo reminder

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Honoring Happiness

10/5/2023

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Honoring happiness starts with being present and aware. When we acknowledge the sensations we feel in our bodies and the emotions connected to our sensations, we can more fully experience the happiness in our lives. More subtle emotions like joy, playfulness, pride, contentment, bravery, peace, and hope add depth to the core emotion of happiness.

In your body, you may feel light, loose, soft, warm, alive, steady, relaxed, and energized.

For me, happiness shows up in my face first. I notice the relaxation in my jaw, the lift in my brows, the laughter bubbling up. It can be helpful to identify the sensations and emotions that signify happiness.

When you are aware of how you feel and what situations evoke happiness, you can make more authentic choices, practice self-care, and honor the wisdom of your emotions.

According to Hilary Jacobs Hendel's book "It's Not Always Depression", happiness seeks connection. Connection can mean different things to different people. For me, connection means feeling part of something bigger than myself. Finding ways to connect that work for you has the potential to enhance your happiness.

Click the above image to purchase the Guided Happiness Journal

Tracking your happiness can be enlightening. By noting what's happening at times you feel happy, you can begin to identify patterns. Here's what I noticed brought happiness when I tracked it for a week:

Seeing my neighbor and his lady friend holding hands.
Seeing Dolly Parton remake “What’s Up?” with Linda Perry.
Riding a bike!
Walking with my friend.
Drawing, painting, listening to music.
Hosting brunch.
Laughter with my neighbors.

For me, happiness comes from witnessing unexpected moments of care and kindness. It comes from play. It comes from creativity. It comes from time with loved ones. It comes from time in nature. By tracking your happiness, it's possible to gain deeper insights into what brings you joy.

Linsday Braman's Emotion-Sensation-Feeling Wheel Handout
Hilary Jacobs Hendel's book It's Not Always Depression: Working the Change Triangle to Listen to the Body, Discover Core Emotions, and Connect to Your Authentic Self
Brené Brown's book Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
Dr. Tracy Marks YouTube Video Claim Your Emotions: How to Identify and Name What You're Feeling

If you'd like guidance on honoring your happiness, I have created a Happiness Journal, which is available for purchase on the Present to Beauty Etsy shop.

Click the above image to go to Etsy

This 8 page journal includes:

Information on happiness
Four journal prompts
Space to note how to best nourish your happiness
A happiness tracker
Space for reflection
A 4x6 printable photo reminder

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Honoring Disgust

Honoring Anger

Honoring Happiness

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