Lots of thinking about emotions lately. As we muddle our way through this scary and volatile political season, I can’t help but think about them.

I have become extremely Liberal. Extremely. My parents and many of my friends and relatives are Conservative, Libertarian, Independent and such. I do not allow our differing political beliefs interfere with our relationships, as long as I remember to keep my emotions in check.

With as much time as I spend on Facebook and Twitter, this can be a hard thing. When I see news about the candidates, especially if they involve name-calling or hate speak, I instantly react. I try hard not to spew forth with my own negativity. It is hard. I have to remember that my reactive words are not going to help anyone. No one’s mind has been changed by nasty reactions. It takes calm, rational discourse to make a difference. That is rarely my gut reaction.

Oftentimes, our bodies react emotionally long before we realize we are in the throws of a feelings-upheaval. In spite of being well into middle age, I still struggle to realize that is what is happening when my body becomes full of tension and stress. My initial reaction to the physical symptoms of buried emotions (shoulder tension, headaches, tension and/or irritability) is to get grumpy and snap at people. (yes, even I get that way!) This reaction is how I attempt to brush off the emotions that are simmering underneath.

Generally that reaction lasts anywhere from a couple minutes to a day. Once I get tired of feeling so pissy, I start looking at why. That is generally when I realize it is because I have feelings I am ignoring. Some inner-digging will usually uncover shame, anger, frustration or sometimes just sadness. Then I have to figure out why I feel those feelings, if I can.

Have you ever had days where you are just miserable but you don’t know why? Would it be possible that you are letting some buried or unrecognized emotions get to you?

If I am not alone in this, I would love to hear from you. This is the beginning of my journey into the study of psychology. In addition to preparing myself to help others, I need to figure myself out.

And it helps that I am on my third listen-through of Rising Strong by Brené Brown. She discusses this sort of processing of our emotions in great deal. I am learning so much. She calls this process of uncovering emotion The Rumble. Really, she is such a fantastic author. And listening to the book as she reads it gives it even more power! Go for it! Get her audio book!!!

As for me, I will continue to read, study, analyze and write. Thank you to those who have decided to continue to read. I’m so glad you’re here!