
Big feelings can feel so overwhelming. Shame, guilt, self-doubt, unworthiness - they have a way of creeping in, uninvited, whispering stories that make us want to retreat, to hide, to run far, far away.
For as long as I can remember, this has been my default. When these feelings rise up, my instinct is to pull away from the world, from others, even from myself. To make myself small. To shut down. It feels safer that way. Like if I could just disappear for a little while, I might escape the heaviness of it all.
But what I’m learning, and it’s a messy, imperfect process, is that these feelings aren’t the enemy. They aren’t here to punish me or hold me back. In their own way, they’re trying to protect me. Somewhere along the way, these patterns of retreat became my nervous system’s way of keeping me safe.
Shame shows up when I’m afraid of being seen and judged.
Guilt comes when I feel like I’ve let someone down or failed in some way.
Self-doubt is my fear of not being good enough, trying to shield me from rejection and failure.
Unworthiness is my heart, bracing itself against disappointment.
I can see now that these feelings are just old parts of me, formed during moments when I needed protection. They don’t define me, they’re simply echoes of wounds I’m learning to heal.
Instead of running from them, I’m learning to sit with them. To listen to what they have to say without letting them take the driver’s seat. I’m working on offering these parts of me love and compassion, even when they feel messy and inconvenient.
I know that healing doesn’t happen by hiding, it happens when I face these feelings, when I remind myself that I am more than my doubts and fears.
It’s not easy, in fact it’s really hard work, but I know if I don’t face these feelings and heal my wounds I’ll stay stuck and unable to truly move forward.
If this resonates with you, know you’re not alone. We’re all navigating this human experience, one tender, brave moment at a time.
So today, I’m reminding myself (and maybe you too): It’s okay to feel. It’s okay to pause. It’s okay to take care of yourself as you heal. You are worthy, even when those big feelings try to convince you otherwise.
Mel x
Comments