What Happens When You Meet Yourself Where You Are
When life presents challenges and stress, individuals respond in various ways. Some people tackle problems head-on, looking for direct solutions. Others may instinctively choose to avoid difficult situations, hoping they resolve themselves.
It's common for one's approach to shift depending on the circumstances or even the person's mood that day. Each person has their unique style for dealing with daily issues.
Our responses to stress do not arise solely from external factors. Internal reactions play a crucial role in how we cope. We become aware of physical sensations in our bodies that might accompany stress, such as muscle tension, an increased heart rate, or sweating.
These physical changes often blend with a wide spectrum of emotions, which can include feelings of anxiety, anger, joy, or gratitude. In these moments, our thoughts significantly influence our state of mind.
We might have self-critical thoughts like “I am failing” or positive affirmations such as “I feel good.” At times, we may believe that “Others are judging me.” Such thoughts can fluctuate based on past experiences and current emotional states.
Often, we might not recognize or fully understand what we are thinking or feeling. Many individuals try to escape from their inner emotions because they can seem heavy, painful, or trivial. Some harshly judge themselves for their feelings and thoughts, believing they should react differently.
If this sounds familiar, it is essential to recognize that many people share this struggle. It is normal to find it difficult to understand our physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts and to accept them as they come.
What does it mean to truly accept our feelings? Acceptance, also referred to as equanimity, does not imply being devoid of emotions or indifferent to them. Instead, it encourages us to let our experiences unfold without interference.
This means we stop resisting our emotions or trying to push them aside. Instead, acceptance invites us to allow our feelings to exist without clinging to or getting trapped in our thoughts. We create an environment where our inner experiences flow naturally, without force.
An analogy for this practice is a playful puppy entering a room. Instead of scolding the puppy or confining her, we let her wander freely. She comes and goes as she chooses. This lighthearted acceptance illustrates the essence of mindfulness.
Now it is essential to break down the concepts of observing and accepting to understand how each influences our reactions during stressful moments.
Recognizing how these practices operate both separately and together can help us handle life’s difficulties more effectively. By grasping these ideas, we can gain deeper insights into our experiences and develop better coping strategies for stress.