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How to Heal Habitual Negative Feelings
When feelings are deeply familiar to us, we actually expect, on a subconscious level, to feel them.
Most of us aren’t consciously aware of our habitual feelings. Like any other kind of habit, we take for granted that we are actually making a choice. It feels more like an automatic default — something we do without consideration or forethought.
When our habitual feelings are negative — like the feeling of disappointment — and something good happens for us, we are highly likely to sabotage ourselves in order to come back to the familiar frequency of disappointment we’re most accustomed to feeling.
All healing begins with a conscious acknowledgment of the behavior we wish to change.
Feeling angry, frustrated, exasperated or ashamed of ourselves doesn’t lead to healing. Only a willingness to acknowledge what’s not working and a willingness to do what it takes to shift it will move the needle in a positive direction.
As we go through our days, we can begin to raise our awareness — making a commitment to notice what we’re feeling and name it. Some people set timers to remind themselves to check in with themselves. Some of us journal or meditate so we can access our own minds at work. Therapeutic work and walks in nature can help too.