If you’re facing anxiety or overwhelm, you’ve probably got one thing on your mind — how to make it go away. But what if this challenging emotion was actually trying to help?

Over the years I have realized that leaning into any kind of emotion and being curious allows me to understand myself better and therefore help myself more.

Leaning in can be difficult if this emotion is perceived as uncomfortable and negative. At times even positive emotions can be uncomfortable. Anything that is felt very strongly and has not been integrated into your character, can make you feel at risk of de-stabilization. However, when you engage with it wisely, it helps you to focus, plan, and take action in a better way.

Emotions are at the center of everything you are: every relationship, every dream, every failure, every triumph, every act of violence, and every act of love. Your emotions are not just random sensations or meaningless moods — your emotions are vital to understand yourself and the world around you.

Most of us have been taught to feel ashamed about or afraid of our anxiety and overwhelm, or to treat it as a sign of weakness or trouble.

Today I invite you to befriend those emotions and use the information and energy they provide for your well-being and success.

Pause and ask yourself:
Is there anything I can do to change the situation?
What is great and meaningful about this problem?
How is this situation or person benefiting me?
What am I willing to do to make things the way I want them to be?
As you ask these questions, your mind will start focusing on solutions as well as feeling less like a victim. Along with that, you will start feeling less stressed, more empowered and ready to take action or actions that will move you forward