WHY IT'S SO HARD: LEARNING TO ACTUALLY FEEL YOUR FEELINGS

Someone once told me to "just feel your feelings." And I remember thinking: I don't even know what that means.

If you've spent your whole life avoiding emotions, that advice is useless.

In this episode, we get real about why feeling your feelings is so hard, what happens when you avoid emotions for too long, and practical steps to start when you have no idea where to begin.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why most of us weren't taught how to feel our feelings (we learned to suppress, ignore, or perform them)

- How childhood emotional invalidation teaches you that your emotions are wrong

- The messages we received: "stop crying," "you're too sensitive," "calm down," "don't be dramatic"

- What emotional suppression costs you: physical health, authentic relationships, mental well being, decision-making clarity

- Why emotions are information, not problems (what each emotion is trying to tell you)

- The difference between feeling your feelings and drowning in them

- The "window of tolerance" concept and why you need to pace yourself

- 5 practical steps to start feeling your emotions:

1. Notice your body (where emotions show up physically)

2. Name the feeling (using tools like feelings wheels when you're stuck)

3. Allow it to be there (without fixing, numbing, or performing)

4. Get curious about what it's telling you

5. Get support (therapy, trusted people, communities)

- Personal experiences with learning to feel after years of suppression

- Why this is one of the most fundamental skills for healing

- How to start small when emotions feel overwhelming

This isn't about becoming more emotional or crying all the time. It's about learning to be with your emotions instead of running from them. Because you can't heal what you won't feel.

If you've been told to "feel your feelings" and had no idea how to actually do that, this episode gives you the practical framework to begin.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY OR QUESTION:

Learning to feel your feelings? Share your questions, stories, or reflections. Send written letters or voice messages to letters@alottogrowtrough.com or visit alottogrowthrough.com

CONNECT WITH A LOT TO GROW THROUGH:

Website: alottogrowthrough.com

Business Inquires: contact@alottogrowthrough.com

RATE & REVIEW:

If this episode helped you understand how to start feeling your feelings, please leave a rating and review. It helps others who need this practical guidance find their way here.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This episode discusses emotional suppression, childhood invalidation, trauma responses, and mental health topics. Please practice self-care while listening.

A Lot To Grow Through is a podcast about real healing, real conversations, and no filter. Hosted by Artis Desjardins, this is a space for thoughtful conversations on healing, growth, and the art of becoming. Here, you'll understand you have to grow through it, not just go through it.