We humans use many tricks to avoid being with our own emotions and adjust what we feel. Alcohol, drugs, excessive exercise and video games are just a few of them. Below you can read about other tactics we use. Maybe you recognize yourself in one or some of them?
1. We overuse a feeling that is allowed to dominate so that we don't feel that other, troublesome feeling. For example, we may turn to anger instead of feeling our fear in certain situations, or you may let worry cover both your feelings of sadness and frustration.
2. We help others. By concentrating on someone else and entering a helping role, we avoid focusing on our own feelings.
3. Sleep. Many fall asleep or "sleep on it", and find it helps to calm the emotions.
4. We procrastinate. We can sometimes avoid tasks that arouse emotions such as boredom, frustration or worry.
5. Nostalgia. "It was better before". By remaining in the old, we avoid having to face the emotions that want to come up here and now.
6. We blame others. In this way, we can push away, among other things, feelings of guilt and the heavy sense of responsibility.
7. Books, podcasts, movies. By losing yourself in another world, you avoid feeling your own for a while.
Which of the above points suit you? (If you say you never do any of the above, there's a good chance you're lying).
