Stop Judging YOU!

by Korisma Grant

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, I will try again tomorrow.” –Mary Anne Radmacher

Have you ever had a day that was filled with a wide range of emotions for reasons that were inexplicable? I know I have. Have you ever beat yourself up for having those emotions? Again, me too. Unfortunately, we have been socialized to judge our feelings. However, I no longer buy that our emotions are a weakness. Whether we recognize it or not, judging how we feel plays a large role in our ability to move forward healthily and courageously. Therefore, I challenge you to be kind and gentle with yourself. How do you do that? Great question! Here are two steps to get you started:

1. Shift your perspective. Remember, emotions are temporary—they come and go. Instead of being hard on yourself for feeling anything but great, try thanking your feelings for visiting—after all, they remind you that you are a human with a beating heart which is a good thing. Then kindly ask them to go away as you have to move forward with the rest of your day.
2. Stop judging yourself.Our emotions simply tell us when something is wrong or okay at the moment. Not judging how you feel can lift some of the burdens if you simply view your emotions as information.

There is nothing wrong with having feelings; it is what we do with those feelings that matter most. Being able to identify, connect with, and manage our emotions in healthy ways IS being emotionally healthy. Regardless of what the emotions are or have been, silencing the voice of self-judgment and amplifying the voice of grace, gives you the strength to try again tomorrow. Now, I dare you to go out! Be courageous by being gentle and kind to you!

Korisma Grant, LLMSW

Affiliate of Chosen, PLLC