Honoring Disgust

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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