Sad may be the only word we know to express ourselves with what we are feeling. However, by expanding ways to express ourselves, we can help us understand better what we need and make it easier to ask for help. We may be feeling lonely, depressed, ashamed, bored, or guilty. And yet again we may be feeling bashful, stupid, miserable, inadequate, inferior, or apathetic. As each of the words is mentioned we experience a different reference point. By looking at the family of Sad we can gain clarity into how we are feeling, maybe some about the why and what we need to feel better.
Acey says: When we feel in the Sad family we may frown or have a blank face. We may not have any energy. We may not be interested in anything. Our stomach may hurt. We may feel blah. We want someone to take notice and show they care to help us. We may cry. We may do nothing. Being in the Sad family is not fun and is uncomfortable.
Dr. Edith says: It is beneficial to have more choices on how we express our feelings. When we can more clearly identify our feeling we can better understand and explain the source of the feeling. We can talk about what has happened that leads up to the feeling.
When we feel in the Sad family we need to be aware we might not eat or take care of ourselves. We may not be able to concentrate or be indecisive. We may have trouble with our sleep pattern and our weight (loss or gain). We may not have much interest in anything.
To cope with the Sad family we can ask for help, journal, share our feelings with a friend, take a walk, deliberately eat and sleep, and seek other solutions. If we are more bored we need to stimulate ourselves constructively. If we are feeling inadequate or inferior we need to identify our strengths or ask others what they see we do well.
Identify our feelings, clarify our feelings, decide what can help make a change, and take an action. Let’s move through the Sad family.
