How many of you were encouraged to express your feelings growing up?

Tides are certainly shifting in the favor of self-expression - in all forms - but for many of us, talking, sharing, indulging in our feelings was not encouraged, leaving many of us unsure how to do it! Yes, even as adults. Especially as adults.

Have you ever noticed how children have zero qualms about throwing a tantrum or telling you when they don't want to do something? They're not as concerned about how their reactions impact you - they're feeling their raw emotions.

Adults, on the other hand, are on the other end of the spectrum. We not only don't discuss our feelings, we also shrink back from any and ALL feelings & emotions that don't feel good.

"Good vibes only"...."It'll all be okay"...."It'll blow over" are the phrases we tell ourselves and each other to get the instant balm of feeling better.

But that's a farse. All we're doing is cutting off the limb of a dragon and at some point that dragon is going to come roaring it's fiery breath like somethin' fierce (I don't know who's taken over my writing today - farse? qualms? somethin' fierce? - just go with it lol)

As mothers, we want to help our children navigate their emotions and learn to express them in healthy ways - with boundaries AND confidence.

But we can't do that unless we know how to express & navigate our own feelings & emotions.

If we’re not tapped into expressing our feelings & emotions, and we turn away from the feelings & emotions that bring us discomfort, sadness, heaviness, etc., we’re raising a generation to do the same.

With the rise of mental health challenges for our youth, being able to identify, express and share their emotions is an essential way to diffuse the many unhealthy ways unaddressed feelings can manifest.

When they see you expressing your feelings & emotions, they know they can too.

And, it keeps the lines of communication wide open during the years they need a trusted adult the most.