The Impermanence of Emotions

I like to remind myself on a weekly basis that I am insignificant and impermanent. Some might call this reasonably pessimistic or even a depressing way to live, but I encourage those people to humbly flip the concept on its head. We as human beings can often have an egocentric idea that we are existing in solitary on this planet – as if we are the only individuals who stroll the streets with our unique tales weighing on our shoulders, feet dragging and skeleton struggling to simply do its job.

In my opinion, (there are so many today, who cares anyway) it is important to remind ourselves of how simply insignificant we truly are. Yes, we are also significant in many ways (especially in our ways of damaging this wonder-filled planet or in the way we can so effortlessly harm other living beings). The point is, we are also all dying. One day we simply won’t be here. Thus, by reminding myself of this undeniable fact, it also encourages me (occasionally) to be a little looser about things. Right now, that focus in letting go, is placed with my emotions.

I am someone who takes shit very seriously. Uptight would be an appropriate way to describe me if you are someone who enjoys labels. However, this is also an element of myself that I am gently trying to knead out of the dough that formulates my thoughts. Why should one hold on to something that doesn’t want to hold on to them? Emotions don’t want to set up camp, they don’t favour familiarity, they simply want to come and go as they please – that is something that we as human beings are not always great in accepting: so much in our lives is temporary, especially when it comes to feelings.

Emotions are the epitome of impermanence. Why are we so blind to acknowledge and accept that? Where does this inherit stubbornness originate from, especially when it comes to letting go of painful emotions?

According to Tony Robins (a wonderfully mental life guru), we hold onto our painful emotions because they are familiar. Human beings are not the best in dealing with uncertainty and change. Thus, the pain from the past serves us in a way that it is familiar and opposite to the unknown, something new or different – it is comforting. Whilst letting go can release you from this pain, it liberates you into a space of the unknown which can be daunting and confronting.

Ask yourself why you hold onto past emotions and identify how they no longer serve you. Perhaps you can attempt to clear some of the fog that sits in front of your view. Start by setting yourself clear, weekly goals for what you would like to change and write down what your life would look like, should you achieve these goals. Visualise and attract the vision you deserve and let go of what no longer has a purpose taking space in your life.

Don’t ask that the emotions simply go away, ask them why they are there and talk to them. Sit in it all for a while and when you are ready tell them to leave.