Healthy Expression of Feelings
Waypoint Message
Your feelings are not meant to be hidden away like secrets in a locked box. Every emotion you experience, whether joy, anger, sadness, or excitement, carries important information about what matters to you. Learning to express your feelings in healthy ways is like developing a superpower that helps you connect with others, solve problems, and feel lighter inside. When you share your emotions thoughtfully, you're not being weak or dramatic - you're being brave and honest. This skill will help you build stronger friendships, reduce stress, and understand yourself better.
Success Strategies
1. The Feeling Check-In: Three times a day (morning, afternoon, evening), pause for 30 seconds and ask yourself: "What am I feeling right now?" Name the emotion out loud or write it down. Don't judge it or try to change it, just acknowledge it like you're greeting a friend.
2. The Emotion Journal: Keep a small notebook or use your phone to write down one sentence about how you felt during a significant moment each day. For example: "I felt frustrated when my project didn't work out the way I planned" or "I felt proud when I helped my friend with their problem."
3. Creative Expression Time: Set aside 10 minutes twice a week to express a feeling through creativity. Draw your mood, write a poem about your day, dance to music that matches your energy, or build something that represents how you feel. There's no right or wrong way to do this.
Shift your thinking:
Use the shift cards below to reframe your outlook on the day.
Connection Matters:
Use the connection cards below to start a conversation with the people around you.