Yes, this is probably one of the most random blog entries I have made.
And this comes as no surprise after going on a blogging hiatus for almost a month.
I know. And I don’t really have an excuse for it.
And to be honest, I don’t even plan of coming up with any.
I didn’t blog. Period.
I am just going to take responsibility for it.
I didn’t feel like it.
Maybe because I had a lot on my plate as I was rushing to finish my final requirements for my PhD classes.
Or maybe I was launching Pride campaigns for brands left and right.
Balancing work with my family time while attending to my personal needs in between.
I won’t even try to justify it by pointing these out.
I am just sharing.
Because in reality, the bottom line was that:
I didn’t feel like it.
There I said it.
And yes, I said it with all humility and vulnerability that I could muster.
Because contrary to popular belief, I am not always my best.
Even if I champion for #bestmeever .
Because much like everyone else, I am also human.
I have great days and days when I just don’t feel like doing anything.
There are days I go beyond deliverables and days when I have to pause and park them first.
There are days when I am unstoppable. And days I just do a hard stops.
But one thing is certain: I love myself during all those days.
And that means recognizing what I feel each time I do a task or commit to something.
While acknowledging the fact that not every day can be as productive as others and that’s ok.
That my feelings are valid and I should listen to them so that I don’t shortchange others or myself as well in the process of subscribing to half-baked output or mustering half-hearted enthusiasm.
And that’s where I am coming from as I write this: to let everyone know that it’s ok to acknowledge your feelings and do what’s best for you.
Even if others may not agree with your choices or when the odds aren’t exactly in your favor.
What is important is that you are willing and able to take responsibility for yourself, your emotions and your actions accordingly, no matter how they may look like at that particular point in time.
Pausing (and sometimes stopping fully) is your friend. Never view it as something that will hold you back from your goals.
Like when you feel like you’re not your best, honor that space by pausing and reflecting on what is it teaching you? What do you need to address so that you can feel motivated again?
When you feel angry, ask yourself what boundaries have been crossed and how can you establish them firmly the next time around?
When you feel hurt, stop and reflect about what’s causing it and what can help ease the pain that’s under your control that you’re willing to take responsibility for?
When you feel like you’re trailing behind in life, pause and reflect about who’s standards are you following and what can help you appreciate yourself more?
When you feel like giving up, pause and remember the times you’ve succeeded with or without anyone else’s help, because now it can just be the same for you if you just recalibrate and push through.
When you feel like celebrating yourself just because, by all means do so. You deserve to honor yourself with or without any milestones achieved because as you are, you are worth celebrating.
There were moments in the last few weeks that I felt I had to blog because it’s been a while. That I must write something so that I keep my readers hooked.
Admittedly, I tried. But I remembered by doing so, I will be unfair to myself and to everyone reading my post as it won’t come from inspiration, but rather from obligation.
And that hit me hard, enough for me to give myself enough time and space to figure out my own cadence and allow myself to wait guilt-free until I am ready.
And today, that just happened.
I sat down. And started to write. Continuously.
I am in the zone. I am my best.
And I feel like it too.
I hope that after reading this, you get to feel what you need to, too.
“I’ve had enough!”
This is the line that most commonly precedes an eruption of emotions.
Truth be told though, it’s not exactly a bad thing.
It means that you are actually setting boundaries and that you have finally realized how important they are in your life.
The key here is to allow yourself to feel, minus any form of judgment towards yourself and the negative emotion involved.
So do away with your personal biases about anger, guilt, shame, sadness, regret, fear or whatever negative emotion you may be feeling at present.
Remember, it’s not bad to feel them…just don’t be them (negative emotion).
Example: You can feel anger …. but, you don’t have to brand yourself as an angry person.
While you’re at it, allow me to share with you the 5 ways you can let go of negative emotions:
Don’t ever deny them or run away from them. Know that you can only resolve negative emotions you have come into terms with. Know them. Feel them. And then reflect: what is making me feel this way? What are these emotions telling me? Note that what they’re telling you, as mentioned before, may not be exactly a bad thing.
2. Question their validity in your present space
Ask yourself this: is what I am feeling based on facts or assumptions? Are these emotions still relevant at this point in my life? Most people tend to operate based on past experiences, including the negative emotions associated with them so it’s best to assess your current space instead and allow yourself to gradually heal from within.
3. Express them out responsibly
Don’t let any form of negativity overwhelm you as you let them all pile up from within. Consider releasing them by crying, shouting, exercising or channeling your feelings towards something that’s constructive, not destructive. Remember that you should always have yourself accountable for your actions so choose to express how you feel with care and consideration, not only for yourself, but for others as well.
4. Talk it out
It’s very important to know that you’re not alone. So reach out to your trusted family, friends or even a mental health professional (when needed) for you to be able to articulate how you feel and get to process and let go of all those negative emotions you have within. In the rare cases that no one is readily available,, you may want to consider journaling or recording a video to help you declutter your mind and heart.
5. Focus on what you can control
We tend to be overwhelmed at times because we try too hard to make things happen like we want them to but we tend to forget that some are actually beyond our control. What you can do though is make a list of stuff under your control and work on them. Anything that’s beyond your control, including the negative emotions associated with each, just let go. Surrendering can do wonders for you if you learn how to trust the process and yourself as well.
I hope this blog post of mine helps you unburden yourself with any emotions that are hindering you from becoming your own #bestmeever .
Like I always say,
if it does not help you grow, let go.
