Why You Should Never Avoid the Emotion You Don’t Like

What happens when we avoid the emotion we don't like?

We all have emotions, yet many of us choose to ignore the uncomfortable ones. We don’t want to think about them or feel them, so we push them down, shove them away or pretend they’re not even there. But what happens when we avoid the emotion we don’t like? In this blog post, we’ll explore the consequences of avoiding difficult emotions and how it can affect our mental health and wellbeing. By understanding why suppressing our emotions is dangerous and how we can manage them better, we can start to take control of our own emotional wellbeing and build a better life for ourselves.

What are the different emotions we feel?

There are a variety of emotions that we may feel throughout our lives. While some emotions may be more pleasant than others, all emotions serve an important purpose. The main emotions that we feel are happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and love.

Happiness is often the emotion that we feel when things are going well in our lives. We may feel happiness when we accomplish something, spend time with loved ones, or simply enjoy a moment. While happiness is a positive emotion, it is also important to experience other emotions so that we can appreciate the good moments in our lives.

Sadness is an emotion that we feel when something negative happens in our lives. We may feel sadness when we experience loss, get rejected, or have to say goodbye to someone we love. While sadness can be painful, it is also a natural and necessary part of life. Feeling sad allows us to process our feelings and eventually move on from difficult experiences.

Anger is an emotion that we feel when we perceive that someone has wronged us. We may feel anger when someone hurts us physically or emotionally, doesn’t meet our expectations, or violates our personal space. Anger is a normal and healthy emotion, but it’s important to express it in constructive ways so that it doesn’t damage our relationships with others.

Fear is an emotion that we feel when we perceive a threat to ourselves or our loved ones. We may feel fear when faced with physical danger

Why do we avoid certain emotions?

There are many reasons why we might avoid certain emotions. Maybe we're afraid of feeling pain, or maybe we don't want to deal with the messiness of our feelings. Maybe we're worried about what other people will think if they see us feeling sad or angry. Whatever the reason, avoidance can be a way of coping with difficult emotions.

However, avoidance can also be harmful. When we push away our feelings, we miss out on the opportunity to process them and move on. This can lead to emotional build-up, which can be damaging to our mental and physical health. Additionally, avoiding emotions can make it harder to cope with them when they eventually do come up.

If you find yourself avoiding your emotions, it's important to take a step back and consider why you're doing it. Are you truly afraid of how you'll feel? Or are you just trying to protect yourself in the moment? If it's the latter, know that avoidance is only temporary relief – it won't make your problems go away. Instead, it's important to face your emotions head-on. This doesn't mean that you have to force yourself to feel everything all at once, but simply that you should allow yourself to experience your feelings without judgement or shame.

What happens when we avoid our emotions?

When we avoid our emotions, we may be able to temporarily suppress them, but they can still have a negative impact on our mental and physical well-being. Emotions serve a purpose, and avoiding them can lead to emotional suppression, which can lead to a number of negative consequences such as anxiety, depression, and difficulty in relationships. Additionally, avoiding emotions can also make it harder to process and understand them, making it more difficult to cope with them in the long-term. It's important to learn how to manage and process our emotions in a healthy way, rather than avoiding them.

So, what should we do to face the emotions?

Facing and dealing with emotions can be challenging, but there are several things you can do to help yourself manage them better. First, you need to acknowledge and accept your emotions. Recognize that it's normal to have a range of emotions and that it's okay to feel them.

Second, try to practice mindfulness because being present in the moment can help you become more aware of your emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behaviors. Then, Talk to someone and share your feelings with a trusted friend or family member can help you process your emotions and gain a different perspective.

You also can write about your feelings by keeping a journal can help you understand your emotions better and identify patterns or triggers.

Don’t forget to practice self-care. Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally can help you better cope with difficult emotions. If you are struggling to manage your emotions, consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor.

It's important to remember that facing your emotions is not easy and it can take time and practice, but it will help you better understand yourself and be more resilient when dealing with difficult situations.