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113 — Overcoming the Fear of Feeling with Author Jennie Allen

June 3, 2024

If you struggle to understand your feelings and don’t know what to do with them, you’re not alone. Most of us weren’t ever taught how to identify what we’re feeling, let alone manage those feelings. That’s why so many people try to avoid feeling anything at all.
 
Author Jennie Allen knows a thing or two about avoiding emotions. She says for much of her life, she tried to fix everything to avoid feeling uncomfortable. But now she’s learned how to untangle her emotions, and she’s sharing what she learned along the way. Some of the things she shares are how to identify your emotions, how to cope with an uncomfortable feeling, and how to help someone else who is in distress.
 

Key Takeaways:

 

  • Emotions aren’t just to be felt; they are pivotal connectors to deeper relationships and a more authentic existence.
  • Suppressing emotions for the sake of practicality or maturity can lead to disconnection and disintegration in life.
  • True maturity includes the ability to feel, name, share, and choose how to respond to our emotions.
  • Learning to simultaneously hold and express multiple emotions allows for a fuller understanding of oneself and situations.
  • Embracing emotions and being present with others in their emotional experiences can lead to healing and a sense of peace.

Notable Quotes:

“You will live very isolated if you do not wake up your feelings.”

“I was someone who suppressed it, who doesn’t know what to do with it. But just because you’re not expressing it doesn’t mean you don’t feel emotion.”

“Next time your kid comes home from school, instead of trying to fix their problem, just say, ‘you know, it makes me feel sad when I hear you say that.'”

Timestamp Summary

0:00 Embracing Emotions for Deeper Relationships and Healing

2:52 Transformative Journey Through Emotion and Vulnerability

6:23 Reflecting on Childhood Emotions and Memories

7:13 Emotional Maturation and Survival During Life’s Trials

8:56 Embracing Emotions for Deeper Connections

10:25 The Healing Power of Shared Grief and Vulnerability

12:05 Embracing Emotions for True Freedom and Peace

14:24 Transforming Anxiety into a Shared Family Experience

16:44 Embracing Imperfections in Emotional Communication

19:23 Identifying Emotions Through Bodily Awareness

21:03 The Importance of Naming Your Emotions

21:38 Embracing Emotions and Cultivating Supportive Friendships

23:51 Understanding and Naming Emotions to Manage Anxiety

25:35 Embracing Complexity in Work and Emotions

27:12 Embracing Emotions and Overcoming the Fear of Feeling

29:31 Embracing Vulnerability to Foster Emotional Connections

32:32 Embracing Emotions and Taking Action Despite Them

35:23 Validating Emotions in the Healing Process

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