In many societies, it is taught that it is weak to show emotions and share our thoughts. In order to be strong, we must bottle everything up, but where does this lead? What impact does this have on our physical and mental well-being? How does it affect our ability to connect with ourselves and others? When we hold in our feelings, who are we serving and would it be best to let them out? These are a few questions we’ll look at in this post and a few methods of sharing and letting go.
Caring
We could say that because we care so much about other people or ourselves that we bite our tongue or hold in how we truly feel, but is this really the truth and the best course of action? It is natural for us to be kind to one another. Sometimes, we cover up this natural instinct and allow external influences to cloud our judgement. We are continually exposed to violence, hate and greed via the media, and because of this we are put in a position where we feel the anger and hatred. What we expose ourselves to has a direct impact on our body and mind. If we surround ourselves with happy people, we will likely feel good. We love one another, and by caring, we build a support envronment for sharing.
Ahimsa and Satya
In yoga, we try to follow Ahimsa, meaning non-violence and Satya, meaning truthfulness.
When we look at non-violence in the form of sharing, this can mean that we wouldn’t want to share anything that could hurt somebody. However, if what you want to say could be more beneficial in the long run, then saying it might be the right course of action.
When following truthfulness, this doesn’t always mean we have to say everything that is on our mind. Satya means to be true to yourself and to others. To lie is to cover up the truth. When we lie, we know that the truth is still there, and the possibility that it might come up one day can be crippling. It is best to be honest at first and deal with the consequences there and then, rather than letting a lie cloud your mind for an unknown period of time. Combining these two moral codes, we can navigate the world with less baggage. We can live without carrying a lie and knowing that we’ve been open and honest to the best of our abilities, with a focus on non-violence.
Being open and sharing
Sharing is caring. Depending on whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert will depend on how you wish to share. If human connection is present in your life, perhaps finding a good friend or someone who won’t judge you and will listento you would be the best person to share with. Having someone you can share everything with is a gift, but a gift that we can manifest and create. If we are open and honest with others, others will likly be open and honest with us.
Journaling
Writing down our thoughts and feelings is a way of letting go. If we feel intimidated by speaking with another person, we can write everything down on paper. We can keep these writings for self-reflection later on or throw them into the fire as a way of letting go. There are many ways to journal. Here are a few ideas.
•Note down a whole page of thoughts that enter your mind without stopping.
•Write a ‘dear diary’ type of journal where you express your current mood.
•Write down something that’s present in your life and ideas surround it.
There are no rules. Release your mind onto paper.
Tension
Bottling up our thoughts and feelings impacts our bodies. We store tension in the body from our experiences, and letting go of this emotional tension can give us great release. Sometimes we can have painful sensations in the body. This pain can be caused because we are storing emotional tension. We all seek wholeness and wellness. The desire for wellbeing may have been covered up by years or neglect, but it still resides within us. Keeping our bodies free from unnecessary pressure will encourage us to live life more freely.
Releasing through sharing
What’s the worst that can happen, and what would we gain if we let go of these thoughts, feelings and emotions? Adhering to Ahimsa (non-violence), would letting go of whatever we’re holding on to benefit us and those around us more than if we held it in? If we are having constant thoughts of the same thing, these thoughts are there for a reason. We mustn’t shy away from repeated thoughts, but face them head-on and see them for what they are, simply a thought. In order to live freely, we must drop our baggage and release anything that does not serve us.
Conclusion
So, whether it’s with a friend or a piece of paper, begin your release today. Become aware of the process and notice how it makes you feel. How does it feel when you say your thoughts out loud? Letting our thoughts and feelings out vocally can be the push we need to realise how they actually sound. If you’ve got feelings buried that have been bothering you, let it go, let it out. Speak, write, paint, draw or do whatever you need to release this inner tension. If you need someone to listen, reach out, we are all here to help one another.
