Sit With Your Feelings
Imagine your emotions as guests arriving at your home.
Some are like old friends, easy to welcome and share a cup of tea with.
Others might show up uninvited—loud, demanding, or just plain uncomfortable to be around.
But whether you’re excited to see them or wish they’d leave, each guest has a purpose. They bring with them messages, insights, and sometimes, lessons you need to learn.
When we try to ignore or push away the more difficult guests—like anxiety, sadness, or anger—they don’t just disappear. Instead, they often linger at the door, knocking persistently, demanding your attention. But when you allow yourself to sit with them, you’re essentially inviting them in, offering them a seat, and taking a moment to listen to what they have to say.
Every emotion, no matter how uncomfortable, carries valuable information.
Anxiety might be telling you that something in your life needs attention.
Sadness could be a reminder of something you’ve lost or long for.
Anger might indicate that a boundary has been crossed.
Resentment might show you an unmet need.
By sitting with these “emotional guests”, you begin to understand what they’re trying to communicate, rather than simply hoping they’ll go away.
So how do you sit with your feelings?
It starts with opening the door—acknowledging the presence of your emotions without judgment.
Instead of labelling an emotion as “bad” or unwelcome, recognize it as a guest who’s come for a reason.
Breathe deeply, and allow yourself to feel whatever is there, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Notice how this guest makes you feel physically — perhaps a tightness in your chest or a heaviness in your stomach—and gently focus your awareness on that sensation.
Next, try to understand what this guest is here to tell you.
What triggered its arrival?
What does it need from you?
Sometimes, it might need you to take action. Other times, it just needs you to listen and acknowledge its presence.
Sitting with your feelings doesn’t mean letting them take over your home.
So the next time a difficult emotion arrives at your door, resist the urge to turn it away.
Instead, invite it in, offer it a seat, and listen to what it has to say.