Dr. David Hawkins discusses the importance of healing feelings and how to heal negative emotions. He emphasizes the motto “You can’t heal what you can’t feel” and explains that whether you are a victim or perpetrator of emotional abuse or experiencing difficulties in relationships, it is crucial to follow five steps outlined by the acronym RENEW.
The steps are as follows: Reflect on feelings, Explore the underlying emotions, Name the feelings, Express them to someone who cares, and Welcome these feelings into your new world. Dr. Hawkins emphasizes the significance of embracing and understanding our emotions in order to create a healing space within ourselves and improve our overall well-being.
You are encouraged to reflect, explore, name, express, and welcome your feelings to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
How to Heal Negative Emotions
Negative emotions can have a profound impact on our well-being and relationships. Whether you’re experiencing emotional abuse, going through a troubled relationship, or even perpetrating emotional abuse, it is crucial to acknowledge and learn how to heal negative emotions.
In this article, we will explore a five-step process to guide you on how to heal negative emotions and create a healthier emotional space within yourself. Remember, you can’t heal what you can’t feel, so let’s delve into the journey of healing.
Step 1: Reflect on Feelings
The first step on how to heal negative emotions is to create a space for them to exist. Take the time to reflect on your feelings. This may involve journaling, sharing with a trusted friend, or seeking counseling. By acknowledging and reflecting on your emotions, you open the door to understanding and healing.
Step 2: Explore the Feelings
Once you have identified your feelings, it’s important to explore them further. Look beneath the surface and delve deeper into what lies beneath the initial emotions.
For instance, if you feel sad, explore whether there is anger, hurt, or fear hidden beneath the surface. Use this exploration to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various emotions you’re experiencing.
Step 3: Name the Feelings
Giving a name to your emotions is a powerful step in the healing process. When you can clearly identify and name what you’re feeling, it brings a sense of clarity and validation. Whether it’s hurt, sadness, anger, or any other emotion, naming them allows you to acknowledge their presence and begin working through them.
Step 4: Express Your Feelings
Find a healthy outlet to express your feelings. This could involve sharing your pain, sadness, hurt, or even joy with someone who genuinely cares and supports you. By expressing your emotions, you allow them to become more alive within you. This process not only helps you release pent-up emotions but also provides an opportunity for healing and growth.
Step 5: Welcome the Feelings into Your New World
As you progress through the healing journey, it’s essential to welcome these feelings into your new world—a world where emotional well-being and self-awareness take center stage. By creating space for your emotions, you open up opportunities for healing and personal growth.
Embrace all the different layers of your emotions and develop an ongoing relationship with yourself. This newfound self-awareness will guide you towards understanding your needs, paving the way for a more fulfilling and authentic life.
So, how to heal negative emotions?
Healing negative emotions is a transformative process that requires self-reflection, exploration, acknowledgment, expression, and self-welcoming.
Remember the motto, “You can’t heal what you can’t feel.” By following the five-step process of renew—reflect, explore, name, express, and welcome—you empower yourself to heal and create a more harmonious emotional landscape. Embrace your emotions, honor your feelings, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
To learn how we can help, reach out to us at (206) 219-0145 or info@marriagerecoverycenter.com to speak with a Client Care Specialist
About Dr. Hawkins:
The internet is inundated with hyperbole and misinformation about narcissism, leaving many people confused and hopeless. Get the facts on narcissism and emotional abuse from someone who has been researching, writing about and treating narcissism and emotional abuse for over a decade.
Dr. Hawkins is a best-selling author and clinical psychologist with over three decades of experience helping people break unhealthy patterns and build healthier relationships.
He is the founder and director of the Marriage Recovery Center and the Emotional Abuse Institute which offers education, training and counseling for people who want to break free of, and heal from, emotional abuse.
Whether the perpetrator of the abuse is your spouse, partner, parent, boss, friend or family member, we offer practical advice for anyone trapped in a toxic, destructive relationship.
In addition to narcissism & emotional abuse, you’ll learn about the lesser known forms of abuse, including covert abuse, reactive abuse, spiritual abuse, secondary abuse, relationship trauma and much more