Posts tagged emotions
The Way We Speak About Our Emotions and Experiences
The Way We Speak About Our Emotions and Experiences

Our emotional processes aren’t quite as simple as a definitive declaration of “I am happy” or “I am sad” immediately following an event. We can’t label our emotions in a heartbeat, no matter how we try.

And yet, we expect ourselves to cordon off our emotions as quickly as possible, and by doing so, move through life with only half of the information. We make assessments about our thoughts and behaviors without first knowing the backstory.

This is how we become disconnected from ourselves. This is how we stray from self-compassion, viewing our emotions with judgment and shame. This is how we wander from empathy for our fellow human. This is a fraction of how we have found ourselves unable to cope with our surroundings during the pandemic— because we don’t always have the words to describe it.

So much of our emotional experience is limited by two things: the guideposts of language and the stigmatized, societal pressure to “just get over it.” I’d like to use this week’s online space to break this down a little more.

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Grief, Self-Compassion, Compassion FatigueNici Richardson-McFarlandemotions, emotional regulation, grief, physical effects of grief, self-compassionComment
How to 'Hold Space' + What It Actually Means
How to 'Hold Space' + What It Actually Means

What does it mean to ‘hold space’ for yourself and for others?

Those of us who work in the mental health profession tend to have our own language of sorts, which thankfully, is becoming more “mainstream” as— slowly but surely— the wellness community grows.

Even still, as I was writing some of my social media content this last week, I found myself caught on two words: “hold space.” How often I use it but how little I truly reflect on the power within these two words!

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Grief, Self-Compassion, Support SystemsNici Richardson-McFarlandCrown of Hope Counselinggrief, emotions