Check-Ins

A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.                                   Proverbs 14:30 (The Message)

One of the things which I suggest as homework to my clients is a periodic “check-in” during the day on their emotional state- a self-awareness exercise. What do I mean by this? It is taking a brief pause out of daily routine, and perhaps taking a little breathing exercise -that is inhale 4 seconds in through the nose, hold about 5 seconds, then exhale through the mouth for about 7 seconds.

Doing this a few times gives a little distinct pause to allow one to center briefly on their personal emotional state. In other words, “What am I feeling right now?” This may take some time to really become effective, because people are often not truly aware about their current emotional state. This requires some honest personal searching about current feelings.

“Am I angry right now? Why?” “Am I sad right now? Why?” “Am I scared right now? Why”. Maybe you are feeling just great! Wonderful! You fill in the blank of the feeling. Many people, not being used to asking themselves this question, are used to covering it up with “I’m just tired” or “I don’t know what I feel”, or “How can I tell what I am feeling?”

This check-in is good to keep us calibrated and honest with ourselves. We are very used to denying feelings or covering them up. We find it hard to be honest with ourselves about what we are feeling. Indeed, some might say, “It doesn’t matter how I feel, I just need to press on today!”

The truth is it DOES matter how you feel, and it is important to just recognize it and own it. If you are angry or scared, that is fine- those are honest emotions. We are not looking for blame, just honest evaluation of what is “going on with me right now.”

To the extent that we do regular check-ins on our emotional state, the healthier we are. The truth sets us free in every way to be more honest with ourselves, owning personal feelings, and taking responsibility for how to take care of ones-self in that moment.

So, periodically, do the personal emotional check-in. It is good self-care.

Prayer: Lord, you have given us the remarkable ability to be self-aware. What a gift! Amen

Note To My Readers: This blog posting is #1000! Hard to believe that we began this journey together on April 1, 2020. So, thanks for hanging with me during the journey. Having an inventory of 1000 blogs means that there is a lot in the archives! So, please check out the archives as you wish!

Blessings,

John