Emotional Landscape

Have you every considered that anxiety could be the result of suppressed emotions? This is something I have been exploring recently and have found numerous books, papers and websites that teach us how to express emotions. One would think that this is something we should have learned as children from our parents, teachers etc., but that would be assuming that we live in an ideal world where people are encouraged to freely express their emotions and are accepted no matter what. The reality is that we are, more often than not, taught to keep anger in check, hide our sadness and keep our fears to ourselves. These are all healthy emotions and need to be expressed, but our culture has labelled them as 'bad' or 'weak'. We are encouraged to be strong, brave and to think happy thoughts. Why are we setting our children up for a very big fall? Probably because we don't want to see them upset, but we would serve them better by encouraging them to express their emotions in a healthy way, thereby making them comfortable with their feelings and unafraid of their natural responses to life.

As humans, we tend to avoid pain. It's a survival instinct. When it comes to emotional pain, the problem is that we have learned to avoid feeling our feelings, gaining a short-term escape. However, emotions do not disappear. If they are not expressed healthily they build up like radioactive energy inside, sapping our energy and quite likely leading to depression and anxiety. It is difficult to find a 'safe place' to express yourself emotionally without fearing rejection or ridicule. Counselling can be helpful, or as I have said, there are numerous publications on the subject. I find a very personal way of releasing these emotions is to emerse myself into the expressive and emotional worlds of art, film, music and literature. Certain songs can echo the aching you feel inside, certain books can assure you that you're not the only person in the world with irrational fears. Movies can lighten your heart and give you hope and a piece of artwork can speak directly to your soul.

I have put some links here to artists that have helped me to cry, laugh or just feel a little less misunderstood. There is a hint of alchemy in this process, as one person's self-expression can inspire others to do the same. It is not an easy process and you cannot change your beliefs overnight. Emotions such as sadness and fear can be painful (hence the avoidance!), and years of suppressed emotions can be very overwhelming. Ideally, we would express our emotions as we experience them, thereby releasing the energy and transforming it into something positive. But for those of us who never really learned how to do this, it is an avenue worth exploring.

I hope you enjoy these links (whether they make you happy or sad!) and feel free to add your own.


Music:

Freewheel Duke Special
Happy Sad Gemma Hayes
The Coral
Sade
Keane
Bjork

Art:

Jimmy Lawlor
Found Myself

Film:

Amelie
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Equilibrium

Books:

Anam Cara
A Spot of Bother
How To Be Good