Dear questioner,
Hi, I'm Kelly Shui!
"What should I do if I always feel guilty about my thoughts?"
Pain and confusion. I truly believe that after you think and reflect, you'll see things differently. You'll also be aware of your own changes because of the "obstacles" on your growth path.
[About emotions]
I can see how you might feel like this has been going on forever. It's totally normal to feel like things are amplified and catastrophic when you don't know when it started.
I just wanted to check in and see if you feel like this situation has been going on for a long time.
Our family environment is beginning to be reevaluated, and we are growing up. I'm wondering if our parents have optimistic personalities or if they like to affirm us?
Let me give you an example, my dear friend.
A while back, a friend confided in me that she felt like she'd fallen into a bottomless abyss. She told me that during her upbringing, her parents were always worried about her and told her that if she didn't study hard, she'd be looked down upon.
If there's a tiny change in her figure and she's gained a couple of pounds, her mom might say that a nice guy won't be too keen on that.
The father also told her that the world is a bit of a dark and painful place.
My friend was really struggling at the time, and we had a good long chat afterwards.
All of these experiences will add up and shape her life and values.
After all, parents are also really important people in our lives!
We can write:
1: In our past lives, did we feel like we got more criticism or more affirmation?
2: I'd love to know which five words come to mind when you think of the qualities of your parents.
For example, think of words like courage, perseverance, and strength.
3: Which of your parents' wonderful qualities have influenced you the most?
We all get caught in emotional traps sometimes. When you're in one and feeling trapped, who can you turn to for help?
Or who in the family will notice your change in mood?
It's also worth noting that emotions can build up over time. If you find yourself facing two choices at the moment, I'd love to share some existentialist ideas with you.
Existentialism is all about remorse and authenticity.
If you could live your life over again, what would you change? Or would you live the same way?
One woman who worked as a secretary said,
If I could, I would love to be more involved in life. I'd stop standing on the sidelines, afraid to really get involved, and I'd stop asking for so much from life.
There are two ways that we humans can accept our previous shortcomings.
1: You can either change now and commit to a new plan, or...
2. Or you can forgive yourself for the past, or others.
We can see our emotions and even our "sins." How do you want to start?
I truly believe that each of us will find ourselves and discover the reason behind our emotions.
[About acceptance]
I know you've had a tough time in the past. You were self-critical, pessimistic, and relatively sensitive and insecure.
You've had a tough journey, haven't you? I'm so proud of you for getting to where you are today!
I feel that you, being highly sensitive, must have a delicate emotional nature. Perhaps some of it is our environment, external conditions that have affected us.
On the bright side, it also allows you to understand yourself very well. We all know it's easy to have your mood swing greatly because of a trivial matter. I remember it was also mentioned in "High Sensitivity is a Gift" that some of us are very susceptible to external influences.
Everything has two sides, my friend.
I have a friend who is also highly sensitive, just like me! I feel so much when I read. My friend loves art, and her paintings are full of hope. There are so many things in life that we can't realize and are painful, and she expresses her emotions through painting.
Like writers and poets, she is emotionally delicate, and her words really resonate with people.
It's totally normal to feel uncomfortable or insecure about people and things. It's okay to have these feelings! They might even be protecting you in some way.
We're so afraid that if we speak, we'll try to help the fear say what it wants to say. We're afraid the fear will make you scared and insecure, and you'll be unable to stop crying.
If fear needs your help, or your best friend needs your help, or you need your own help, what can we do to calm her down?
It's totally normal to care about the tone of others and to be reminded of past experiences, embarrassing moments, and fears. But when it comes to confronting fear, why do we care so much about the tone of others? And why do we let ourselves be reminded of past experiences, embarrassing moments, and fears?
Are you safe right now? I know those past fears can really mess with our heads, but you're doing great!
I'd love to know how you managed to face such circumstances and people!
It can be really tough to write it all down and see if something similar has happened today. It's natural to feel this way. Have you thought about other ways you could approach the situation?
I just wanted to check if you talked to someone about it at the time?
If you can talk to a listening teacher or write a question now, you'll get all the support and help you need from us! And don't forget to thank yourself for having the strength to help yourself.
It's so sad to see fear, insecurity, and anxiety all the time.
Even when fear takes over your whole body, you still have the courage to write it down and seek help from others. You're so strong!
Fear can also inspire some of your amazing abilities and the importance of self-protection.
I also have to thank myself for keeping the faith that you can love yourself, help yourself, and protect yourself. I know there are still a lot of feelings at the moment, but I truly believe that they will get better and better as you grow up.
When we accept this true self, there can be vulnerability, and it's so important to remember to tell ourselves:
You can do it! You've got this! You are strong!
I admire you for being like this, and I truly believe that you will slowly change for the better.
[About my sharing]
If you're interested in this interpersonal high-sensitivity self-help guide, you can take a look. It was written by the wonderful Zhu Zhihui of Yixinli.
She's shared some of her own stories in many books and courses, including those of her teacher Cong Feicong and mine. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect, and I'm still learning to embrace my imperfections.
I'll let that part of me be, and I'll do my best to find the right way to adjust myself, live in peace with my emotions, and live a happy life, just like you.
This is our common goal, and as long as we keep learning, I truly believe we'll all be at peace with ourselves.
I love you, world! And I love you, too, my dear friend!
Comments
I can relate to feeling overwhelmed by emotions and fears that seem to come from nowhere. It's really tough when those feelings spiral out of control, making everything feel harder than it should. Maybe starting with small steps, like acknowledging these feelings without judgment, could help. Gradually, seeking professional support or talking to someone who understands might also provide some relief and guidance.
It sounds like you're going through an incredibly challenging time. The weight of those intense emotions must be exhausting. Have you considered reaching out for support? Sometimes just sharing what you're experiencing with a trusted friend or a therapist can make a big difference. They might offer new perspectives or coping strategies that could start to lighten the load.
Your vulnerability here is very touching. It takes courage to admit when we're struggling. Perhaps focusing on mindfulness practices or grounding techniques could help manage those overwhelming moments. Learning to observe your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them can be empowering. There are many resources online or apps designed to guide you through this process.
Feeling constantly anxious and scared is such a difficult place to be. It's important to remember that it's okay to not be okay sometimes. Building a routine that includes selfcare activities tailored to your needs might provide some stability. Gentle exercises, journaling, or engaging in hobbies can serve as outlets for your emotions and slowly build up your resilience.
The depth of your emotions shows how much you care about yourself and your wellbeing. It might be helpful to explore cognitivebehavioral tools or therapy to challenge and change the patterns of thinking that lead to catastrophizing. With time and effort, you can develop healthier ways of responding to challenges and gradually shift towards a more balanced emotional state.