Have you ever overreacted to a situation and later wondered, ‘Why did I do that?’ That’s what we’re talking about – the kind of emotion that erupts like a volcano, often unconsciously, and sometimes even knowingly. But what happens once it erupts? Do you think it’s over and has nothing to do with you anymore? How can you be so sure that all the lava—the emotional turmoil—has completely cleared out? What if it’s still there, quietly festering and corroding you from within?
Many of us go through life believing we’re fine emotionally. We stay busy, brushing off occasional pangs of frustration, sadness, or anger. But what if the emotions we suppress or ignore don’t just disappear? What if these unprocessed feelings silently settle into our bodies, affecting our physical health and well-being without us even realizing it? To truly know whether we’re emotionally fine or not, we first need to understand what emotions really are. Emotions are like an inner compass, guiding us back to ourselves—our bodies—while we navigate the complexities of life. They are our body’s way of whispering, “Hey, pay attention! Something’s going on here.”
Imagine yourself sitting under a beautiful night sky, gazing at the moon and stars. You feel calm, serene—your emotions gently telling you, “This is a moment to cherish.” But then, a bug bites your hand. Suddenly, pain takes over, snapping you out of the peaceful moment, forcing you to check your hand.
This is what emotions do—they protect you, guide you, and keep you connected to yourself and the world around you. They make life meaningful, reminding you to listen, respond, and grow. Still wondering, “So what if I know my emotions? I feel them, I deal with them, and sometimes they make me do unexpected things—but that’s just life, right?”
Well, let me share a real-life story.
There was a boy who seemingly had it all—wealth, comfort, and endless pampering as the youngest son in an affluent family. Everything was done for him, everything decided in his “best interest.” Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? But there was one invisible flaw in his picture-perfect life: his voice.
Since he wasn’t required to contribute or make decisions, his right to express his opinions was subtly taken away. At first, he didn’t mind the lack of responsibility. But over time, he couldn’t silence his thoughts and emotions. With no outlet, his unspoken words began to accumulate—ignored, suppressed, and left unexpressed. Years later, those unheard emotions manifested as throat cancer—the very body part responsible for voicing his feelings and opinions.
The lesson? Your emotions don’t vanish when you ignore them—they settle in your body, waiting for attention.
So, the next time you brush off frustration, sadness, or a pang of resentment with an “I’m fine” pause and ask yourself: Am I really fine, or is my body carrying the weight I refuse to acknowledge? Listening to your emotions is the first step toward living healthier, happier, and truly free.
If you’ve ever felt those hidden emotions trying to break free – stay tuned for the next chapter of ‘Emotional Awareness – The Series’ @ Meraki’s Blog.