When uncertainty hits, go back to the feeling
An honest conversation, and practical guidance, on how to navigate moments of overwhelm and stagnation
Doubt, uncertainty, overwhelm, insecurity..
Am I leaving behind any feeling?
Is there any other emotion that I don’t know I am dealing with?
Where do I fit in this dance? It doesn’t seem to have any room left for my dreams and aspirations.
It’s all been taken away by the fear of not accomplishing anything, and that’s not the most promising sensation.
Oh yes, fear. I knew someone was being left out.
Oh dear fear, am I asking too much of you? Is it rude of me to demand that you leave and go about?
Sorry, I know you are the kind of feeling that stays. You don’t bounce back and forth, you commit, you don’t betray.
It is you that pushes me forward and it is also you that holds me back. How so?
How can one live in such duality? How can my emotions flow?
Well, one thing I know for sure, with or without you I will not give up anymore.
Because this time what I have to say is louder and bigger than you. So, dear fear, watch me move. Watch me grow.
Because being true to myself is all I’ve ever known!
As we expand on the message received this week in the ALMA VIA Podcast, I felt inspired by the wave of emotions that took over me. I too am experiencing all that this week is bringing.
On a personal level, we all deal with moments of self-doubt. We so desperately want something to grow, take shape, or simply find a place - be it an idea, a project, a dream. All we wish for is that we are able to achieve our goals, but what so frequently isn’t clear is how to make it happen.
When you find yourself dealing with uncertainty about your aspirations, making you second guess yourself or your plans - go back to the feelings.
They are your inner compass that guides you through the storm, pointing you in the right direction, showing you what needs to come to the surface.
Observe, notice what comes up for you as you acknowledge your emotions. Explore what they mean to you and what they are trying to communicate.
Today, I want to help you navigate this storm, the same way I faced it throughout this week.
But first you need to pause.
Be the supporting hand you need
When we can’t fit in, even within our own body, stillness is where you need to be. Within the louder voices shouting in your head, think of them as excited little kids, running around, not sure where to put all the excitement they carry. Someone needs to lead the way. Someone needs to help them engage in an activity that will help them channel all that energy out.
When you need to be that supporting hand for yourself, find in paper and ink your place to pour out your emotions. Because it is through your feelings that you will find a way out.
Where are the feelings rooted?
Most of our emotional triggers are connected to childhood experiences. These are automated responses our subconscious activates when a similar circumstance arises. Not to say they are alike in terms of the events, but in how the situation makes you feel. There’s an emotional memory connected to it, that your body responds to. Your task is to try to identify, not necessarily what originated the feelings in the first place, but in which circumstances you have experienced the same reactions. This will help you map the similarities, find the common denominator and understand your triggers. But more than anything, you’ll be giving your emotions a voice.
What thoughts are accompanying the feelings?
Everything starts with a thought. And what you think instantly sparks an emotion. When that emotion manifests in your body it triggers a response - an action.
When you think about your goal or idea, how to initiate your plans and make them happen, what comes up for you? Literally what do you think about?
This is not going to work.
I don’t know what' I’m doing?
Everybody seems to know all the answers and I can’t even take a single step. Something is wrong with me.
I know I want to do this, but for some reason I don’t know why I can’t initiate it. Something feels off, but I don’t know what it is.
Does any of these thoughts resonate?
As they come to mind, you instantly start to feel an emotion associated with the thought. What comes up for you? Fear, self-doubt, shame, insecurity, a sense of being lost, low self-worth?
Once you identify the emotion, how does it feel? Where in your body does it manifest? Can you describe it? Does it feel heavy? Constricting?
Does it move or is it stagnant? Does it feel like you’re being squeezed? Or pressured?
Does this sensation have a color? How big or small is it?
Does it have a texture? Is it granular, or rough? Maybe silky?
Name the emotion and identify it.
Now observe how you normally react.
What do you do next?
When feelings of overwhelm, uncertainty or fear take over you, your body will create a defensive response. Because when you’re in distress, your brain reads the situation as if protection is needed from a possible attack - it’s your natural defence mechanism.
Each person will react differently. Some will retreat, avoid, isolate themselves, and shut down emotionally - even physically. Others will look for shelter in food, or even substance consumption. There are those who will feel impatient and burst out easily. Some will procrastinate. But overall most of them will feel completely lost and get stuck.
These are all very common responses. We’re all human and we do not know all the answers for the questions we constantly ask. Believe me, I’ve been there too, and I still find myself in places like these many, many times. It’s part of life.
But one thing I’ve learned through my own experiences while also helping clients navigate their own distress - when you choose to navigate the storm, when you make space for your feelings to guide you, you don’t give in, you open yourself up for understanding and true healing happens.
Can you hold space for your feelings?
Can you be an observer? Can you simply notice without giving too much in and losing control of your actions? Can you be present enough to surrender, not give up, and notice how your emotions manifest, what they want you to know?
What really helps me navigate charged moments like these is to find a moment of solitude and:
1 - Write down, on paper, not typing, what you’re experiencing. When you write you open a gate between your unconscious and your conscious mind. And deep down is where all your life’s events are stored. Simply ask your subconscious to give you a hint, a clue, a piece of information that will help you get clear on all you are living in the moment.
2 - Say out loud your feelings - I know, you’re probably thinking you’ll look like a crazy person talking to yourself. But I cannot stress enough how powerful this is. You need to vent. Free from judgement, even from your own, and simply decompress.
Talking is therapeutic and when you bring to your consciousness all you’re experiencing you engage in a conversation with yourself. You start to ask questions, and these questions lead the way.
These may look like simple things for you to do, or not - maybe you find it very difficult to be alone with yourself, or are not used to writing. But if I can appeal to your Soul, give it a try. This is so powerfully healing.
I went through a moment like this this week, and all my Soul needed was for me to be present in my body, honour all I was feeling, the intensity of the moment and connect to my inner compass - my feelings, to face the emotional storm I was in and find the light a little ahead.
I’ve been writing about it and sharing notes here on Substack. The emotions are real. But when you look at them as your guides, when you listen, real transformation happens. They show you what’s in alignment and what is not, because not everything you experience as a person, a human and spiritual being, is conscious. So listen! Listen to your body. Listen to your Soul. Don’t give in to confusion.
In this week’s episode in the ALMA VIA Podcast - Don’t be afraid to start over, I guided you through another approach that helped me get unstuck. This is really, really precious, especially when you have an idea you want to bring forth but are uncertain about where to start.
Don’t forget to ask your Spiritual Guides for help!
It won’t come as a surprise to you, if you’ve been part of my world for some time, that this practice would be present in my emotional detangling process.
I don’t know how many times, through a loving and caring way, I’ve been guided and helped to understand what was right in front of me, but because of my emotional baggage, I couldn’t simply see.
I use oracle cards as a way to communicate with my Guides. I sit with my thoughts, my feelings, and questions and focus on what I need clarity on. I simply ask, and they never fail me.
You don’t need an oracle deck if that’s not your preference. You may have a different approach or channel of communication. Wonderful. It’s really not about the what, but the how. One thing that is important to keep in mind is that you don’t need to make this moment complicated.
And if you have never really used any tool to help you access your Guides, there’s always pen and paper.
Journaling is a powerful way to connect with your Soul and your Guides. As you start to write, you elaborate on your feelings and ideas. This is precious! Remember, in the deep sea of your unconscious mind lies your Truth, your Whys, and as you dive deeper into your inner waters, the answers start to emerge.
And now what?
Once you clarify your whys, ask of yourself nothing more than a single move. One single step, towards your dream. Nothing else.
Because you won’t cross the ocean in one day. You will conquer new territories once you take on the journey.
What is one thing, one action you can take today that will get you closer to your dream?
Start small, make it simple. But choose the action that will bring more results. And by that I don’t mean achieving your goal as the resolution of that. No. What action will get you closer to where you want to be or what you want to achieve? It’s a step, not the whole run.
Once you take that step, continue following the same premise. Always thinking about this one action that will get you closer to your final destination.
You may find yourself lost in the process again. When this moment hits you again, go back to the feeling!
But if you’re not even sure about what your first steps look like, I truly recommend you listen to this week’s episode. If you haven’t had the chance to join the Podcast yet, here is your invitation.
And look, I promise you, this is not me using some marketing strategies to get more listeners and views. I could not be more transparent when I say that I too struggle with bringing ideas to life. I don’t have all the answers, but I committed to sharing my learnings and I truly believe these messages will get to those who need to receive them.
So, yes, the more the merrier, but only if it makes sense to you. If you feel like this space can support you, and know someone who can be inspired too, please, share this post. But only if you feel in your heart to do so.
I wish to build a community, of like-minded Souls, who want to navigate life embracing their flaws as much as their beauty and strengths. I’m learning each day more and more how to be more present in my body, honest with my feelings and connected to my Soul.
I’m a spiritual being and I live through practices that directly connect me with this reality, and it has been a beautiful and healing journey, not only for myself, but for those I’m happy to support through my practice. That’s what the ALMA VIA Healing is all about. It’s our Soul’s path to healing. I’m here if you need support to navigate your turbulent waters and reconnect to your inner compass.
Our vibes speak louder than our words!
Be well, dear one.
Love, Livia.