THERE’S NO NEED TO ANSWER RIGHT AWAY

For the one who is longing to allow themselves to feel what they need to feel

There's a reason we look up words in the dictionary that we don't understand, and we want to know how things work behind the scenes. We, as humans, tend to have a need for meaning. We want to know how things work and why they matter. We are curious about nature.

Allow yourself to be curious about what you are feeling right now. Allow yourself to not only sit with feelings that arise when your needs aren't satisfied but the good feelings, too. 

Here are some things to consider if you are digging deeper into what you are feeling. 

If you are feeling (or desiring to feel)...

Grounded - perhaps something in your life finally feels like it's settling into place. And even though you understand that things could inevitably change, right now, for some reason, you are noticing the areas in your life where the ground beneath your feet feels steady. You don't know what tomorrow holds, but you know this feeling of steadiness is something you want to continue to cultivate.

Expectant - For all of the reasons why it might be difficult to have hope right now, there's something in you that longs to remain open-hearted. You are beginning to realize that the very act of remaining open to the good progress that could happen is keeping you engaged in a meaningful way. You've allowed yourself to hold space for everything you are feeling - and somehow, feeling deeply has prepared your heart to be courageous and passionate for what could be.

Renewed - You've experienced a lot of change lately, and while at times facing change can take a lot out of you, you are now beginning to experience that part of newness that feels like beginning again. You're starting to see things in a new way. You're looking back on who you used to be, and you are not the same. And for that, you are grateful.

Calm - Through everything you have been through, you have learned the importance of breathing deep. You have been practicing slowing down and making room to exhale. Of course, it's a practice, and it's not something you've perfected, but if you feel any bit of calm, take this as a sign that you've been doing the work. Even if that calm feeling doesn't last all day, you've still made meaningful progress.

This is not at all an exhaustive list, and these feelings are just a few of many; and I want to invite you to consider what other ways you might be feeling right now or how you'd like to feel. And then, ask yourself, "Why am I feeling this right now? What's been happening in my life and in the world right now, that is leading me into this feeling? How can I go deeper?"

These might be questions you sit with for days, and that's a good thing. There's no need to answer right away. What matters is that you know there is room to deepen your discovery when it comes to your emotions and how you engage with the world around you.

Word of the Day: Desire (n) “a longing or craving, as for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment” (Dictionary.com)
Affirmation: “How do you desire to feel today?”
Journal: "I am curious about my emotions, and I allow myself to feel them deeply.”

More in this week's series called "You Are Free to Feel What You Need To Feel", only with a subscription in the Storyteller App.

Sincerely,
Morgan Harper Nichols
@thestorytellerco
@morganharpernichols