We all feel feelings. It's natural. Here's a list of things to help out and to keep in mind when those feelings get a little too intense.
1. Remember: Everything Ends.
Whatever is going on right now may feel really terrible. It may feel permanent. Feelings aren't that. It may take time, but you will start to feel better. It's like a scrape, or a broken bone. It hurts really badly at first, but eventually, it starts to heal. It may not heal exactly the same, but it will heal.
2. Do Something You Love
My friends are always the first ones I turn to when something is wrong. They get it and are quick to cheer me up by making me laugh or crushing me in a bear hug.
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Go for a jog. Listen to your favorite song, or watch your favorite movie. Spend some time with people you love. Remind yourself that there are parts of your life that make everything worth it.
3. Cry It Out
To prove I am a woman of my word, here is a photo I took of myself while crying.
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Tears aren't bad. In fact, they're therapeutic. It's your body's way of releasing all that pent up energy. I always tell my friends who have had a bad day to have themselves a good shower cry. I'm a little kidding, of course, but mostly not. Releasing all that really helps.
4. Understand The Benefits Of Feeling Sad
Imagine a world where all you could eat was strawberries. You'd be pretty sick of strawberries after a while, right? Now, keeping with this weird fruit metaphor, imagine one day someone handed you a rotten banana. You take it, eat it, realize it's disgusting, and the next strawberry you eat tastes a whole lot better. Feelings are a lot like that. I think we tend to take happiness for granted when we've been feeling good for awhile. It's only when we feel sad, or angry, that we recognize what joy is.
5. Talk It Out
Let people know why you're feeling bad, and how they can help you. To quote Into the Woods, "no one is alone, truly." Sometimes talking it out helps to process what's going on.
6. Keep Self-Aware
Hey. We're all human. Sometimes, when people are in bad moods, they take that bad mood out on others. That doesn't help anyone and will probably make your situation worse. Nobody's perfect and mistakes happen, but keeping your friends and family close will do more good than harm.
7. Laugh
I'm serious. Just laugh at nothing. Be silly despite yourself. It's important to feel your feelings, but when those feelings overstay their welcome, it's ok to give them a little push out the door. Watch something funny if you have to, but laugh, and allow yourself whatever time you need to let that stuff go and move forward.
8. Give Yourself Advice
I tend to approach problems like a dad. (More specifically, like my dad). We're both the types of people who will be faced with a problem and start logically assessing it for a solution. Granted, I may be just a bit more emotional than my dad, (he'll assess it calmly; I'll asses it while crying and probably yell for a minute, but still. Logic is your friend. Take yourself out of yourself and imagine what you'd say to someone in your situation. Then, take your own advice.
9. Dance
Yes, like on Grey's Anatomy. It's fun and helpful. There's no harm in blasting the Jonas Brothers and letting off steam.
10. Keep Busy
Not too busy to process, but wallowing in whatever it is you're feeling will just make it linger. Don't let your feelings halt your life. They're a part of your life, and an important one at that, but they aren't all of your life either.
You will be ok. People care. This is one thing in a whole, long, beautiful life. Everything ends. I believe in you, and I hope you feel better.
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