Most of us don’t feel emotions. We offload emotions. Is this you? Do you find yourself avoiding feelings? I have seen so many mental health clients not be aware of their emotions, or even know the lack of awareness they have. I am not immune to this and have done it as well. Many of us do it without realizing it and have learned it from watching others and how we grew up. Some of us have certain patterns that we regularly use to avoid feelings. Researcher and social worker Brené Brown calls these patterns “Offloading Hurt”. They describe the various unproductive ways that we manage, or discharge emotion when we are trying to avoid feeling it. Whether it be the common numbing with alcohol, shopping or food or other strategies like Chandeliering or stockpiling. In this episode, Heidi talks about the 6 common offloading hurt strategies and what we can do instead.

Strategies on what to do when you have an emotion in front of you:

Be present. Let God’s presence come.
Learn how to be curious.
Journal.
Talk. Go to therapy. Process out loud
Square breathing
Identify a lie, break it and declare His truth

Purchase the book The Brave Encourager: https://www.amazon.com/Brave-Encourager-Power-Encouragement-Changes/dp/B09TN45H36/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HGP5FPY2E5GD&keywords=the+brave+encourager&qid=1646608516&sprefix=the+brave+encourager%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-1

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Find more: www.heidimortensonlmft.com

If you are in crisis, help is available by call or text 1-800-273-8255 24/7. You can also visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. You are loved!

54. Avoiding Emotions and Offloading Hurt Strategies Commonly Used