I think that is a beautiful metaphor. I do something similar. I think of my mind as a house and my feelings are visitors in the house. I try to welcome each visitor. It helps me separate myself from the feeling so it doesn't overwhelm. Sorrow is a wise old woman cleaning the dust from the house. Sometimes a grumpy black octopus pus comes to live in the house. I ask the visitors what they want and I try to treat them like guests. It's a way to practice self care. The octopus usually visits when I am not doing my creative work.