Unmasking the Uncomfortable: A Journey into Feeling Pain
Hey there beautiful,
Let's get real for a moment. Being a mum is a beautiful chaos. We navigate through sleepless nights, tantrums, and the never-ending cycle of laundry. We love our little humans fiercely, but let's not sugarcoat it - sometimes, we're a hot mess. It's okay to admit it. In the midst of this rollercoaster, we often find ourselves suppressing the uncomfortable, sweeping it under the rug like it's going to vanish on its own. Well, spoiler alert: it doesn't.
I came across this deep quote by the amazing Stephi Wagner: "Pain will travel through families until someone is brave enough to feel it." How profound is that? It's like shining a spotlight on the very thing we try to avoid – feeling pain. Who in their right mind wants to willingly dive into discomfort? Our unconscious mind is practically the bouncer at the emotional nightclub, making sure anything remotely unpleasant gets kicked out.
Let's face it, feeling pain is about as appealing as a Monday morning after a sleepless night. Our brains are wired to avoid it, to dodge those emotions that might make us squirm in our seats. Negative emotions? No, thank you. Our internal autopilot is programmed to suppress, deny, and distract.
But here's the kicker – that discomfort, that pain we try so hard to outrun, doesn't just vanish into thin air. It lingers. It echoes through our thoughts, our actions, and yes, through our families. It becomes the silent companion at the dinner table, the unspoken tension in the room. And it will continue its journey through generations until someone is brave enough to say, "Enough is enough. Let's feel this."
Feeling pain is not a sign of weakness; it's an act of courage. It's about looking that discomfort square in the eye and saying, "I see you." It's about acknowledging that those emotions, however unpleasant, are part of the human experience. The suppressed pain, the unshed tears, the silent struggles – they all have a voice, waiting for someone brave enough to lend an ear.
Now, I get it. It's not easy. It's messy, it's uncomfortable, and it's damn scary. But here's the secret – on the other side of that discomfort is freedom. It's the freedom to be authentically you, flaws and all. It's the freedom to break the chains of generational pain and give your children a different narrative.
So, to all my overwhelmed, lost mums out there, let's challenge the status quo. Let's be the brave ones who stop the pain from wandering through our families. Let's be the warriors who embrace discomfort and transform it into growth.
Feeling pain? It's not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of a Mum who's ready to rewrite the story. Because, in the end, facing that discomfort is what sets us free.
Here are some prompts to help you go a bit deeper, grab your journal, a cup of something comforting, and let's dive in:
Journal Prompst: Unveiling the Uncomfortable
Reflect on the discomfort: Write about a recent situation where you felt uncomfortable emotions – anger, frustration, sadness, whatever it may be. Lay it all out on the damn paper.
Explore the origin: Dig a bit deeper. Where do you think these emotions are coming from? Is there a pattern? A moment in your past that echoes in the present?
Challenge the avoidance: Are there specific emotions you find yourself avoiding or suppressing? Why do you think that is? How has it impacted your overall well-being?
Imagine the release: Envision what it would feel like to release these emotions. What freedom might come from acknowledging and accepting the discomfort?
Consider generational patterns: Reflect on any patterns or behaviours that you might have inherited from previous generations. How do you want to break free from those patterns for yourself and future generations?
Embrace the courage: Acknowledge the bravery it takes to face discomfort head-on. Write down a mantra or affirmation that empowers you to embrace the courage within.
Remember lovely, this journaling journey is about self-discovery, self-compassion, and damn honesty. Feel free to let the words flow and see where they take you. 📓✨
Sending you all the strength and courage beautiful,
Cathy xx
