How???

How do you accept your emotions without avoiding them or trying to change them?

Great question...wish I knew the answer...

I think it depends on what the emotions are. Are we talking about rage, anger, depression??? What are we talking about here?

It's more or less any kind of emotion. I feel like if I think about an emotion be it anger, depression etc.. I instantly avoid or overreact to it. I put myself into a mindset of either obsession or avoidance. It's like I can't explain how I'm feeling and when I try to it doesn't seem important enough to talk about. I know I feel things but I don't know how to process why I feel the way I do or where exactly it's coming from. I want to accept them but I fear that if I obsess about them they will control or define me.

Then I think it''s time for therapy. If you're not able to define how you're feeling or you avoid or overreact, then a professional is needed and I doubt we would be able to help you. We don't have the expertise to get you thru this.

Get in contact with a good therapist, and make an appointment. I know you won't regret it. I was in therapy most of my adult life (so far, that is ) I surely haven't regretted it, and I'm much healthier for it.

I wish you the very best. Please keep us updated on your progress, ok? God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

Um... you start by noticing that they're there?

I don't know how I learned to do that, but I mostly can do it. For me it was a matter of changing my thinking. I had to just notice the feelings were there and not judge them. Then let them pass through, either by journaling about them, talking to someone, or just sitting in them... I do know therapy was very helpful for me in learning how to accept my feelings, as well as medication. Hope this makes sense...