Give it a Name
Updated: 2 days ago
"If you aren't sure what to call the feeling, give it a name."
Why does naming matter?
Giving a name to a feeling makes it a real thing you can interact with.
Naming makes identification possible.
Without identification, you'd be re-reacting to the feeling rather than responding to it.
Names give feelings validity, acknowledgement, and respect.
Validity is about deservingness.
You chose the feeling because you felt it was significant enough to invite for a discussion.
It is granting it a seat the table, an extremely valuable table — your attention.
When you validate a feeling, you are saying "I see you, you matter, and I want you included."
Acknowledgment is a proclamation of your awareness and there's a responsibility baked into that. With your acknowledgement, you are accepting the feeling into your custody and stewardship.
Respect comes when validity and acknowledgement are present at the same time. You've decided the feeling mattered and you are choosing to care for it.
Connected Concepts:
A journaling practice designed with challenging feelings in mind. (Journaling to give name and identify feelings, explore triggers, habits, and strategies).
