Making time to feel our emotions

Making Time to Process Your Emotions: Why It Matters and How to Start

In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, it's easy to push our emotions to the side. We rush from one task to the next, distracted by deadlines, notifications, and responsibilities, often ignoring the subtle signals our mind and body send us. But emotions—whether painful, joyful, confusing, or complex—need space to be acknowledged, understood, and processed. When we don't make time for them, they don’t simply go away. Instead, they can show up in other ways—like anxiety, irritability, burnout, or even physical symptoms.

🌿 Why Processing Emotions Is Important

Emotions are not problems to be fixed; they are messages to be heard. Sadness might be telling us we’ve lost something important. Anger can point to a boundary that’s been crossed. Anxiety might signal that something needs our attention. When we avoid or suppress emotions, we risk disconnecting from ourselves and others.

Taking time to process your emotions:

• Promotes mental clarity and emotional balance

• Prevents emotional build-up that can lead to overwhelm

• Strengthens your relationship with yourself and others

• Helps you respond to life rather than react out of habit or stress

⏳ Why We Often Don’t Make Time

Many people feel they’re too busy to “deal with” emotions—or that it’s not a priority. Others worry that if they let themselves feel too much, they’ll be overwhelmed or “fall apart.” Some of us were raised to believe emotions should be suppressed or kept private.

But the truth is, avoiding emotions doesn’t protect us—it distances us from our own needs and experiences. Emotional processing doesn’t mean wallowing or reliving pain indefinitely. It means creating small moments of presence and reflection that allow emotions to move through us. But really giving ourselves to be in the deep, raw emotions takes time and energy, not just whilst we are having all the feelings but afterwards we can feel drained and exhausted by the process. Healing is a journey, and it does take time and effort, to be with ourselves. And it may mean that other things in our lives, will need to take a back seat, and that may also feel difficult.

I was unpacking this with a client today. She was reflecting on the difficult year she had had, and feeling annoyed with herself that things she would normally get done and ticked off, just hadn't happened. I reflected back that not only had she had lot to deal with emotionally, but she also needed to create space for those emotions and after math of all those feelings. And there just isn't the time and space in her life to do it all. So perhaps she could offer herself some kindness, and this year she just might not be so efficient, and maybe that was ok.

I also wondered what it would be like, if she hadn't given herself that time to feel and be with the emotions, she thought for a moment and replied i would be a mess, I would have tension running through my body, I wouldn't be able to be present, I might have got my tasks done, but I would not feel happy.

🧘‍♀️ How to Start Making Time for Your Emotions

1. Create Quiet Space

Even 10–15 minutes of uninterrupted time can make a difference. Choose a calm environment where you can sit, breathe, and check in with yourself—without distractions.

2. Ask Yourself Simple Questions

Try gentle prompts like:

• “What am I feeling right now?”

• “What might this emotion be trying to tell me?”

• “Where do I feel it in my body?”

You don’t need all the answers—just curiosity and honesty.

3. Journal or Express

Writing down your thoughts, drawing, or speaking aloud (even to yourself) can help bring clarity. Emotional expression is a healthy release and can create distance between you and overwhelming thoughts.

4. Be Kind to Yourself

There’s no “right” way to feel. Be patient and non-judgmental. Emotions are valid, even if they’re uncomfortable. Remind yourself: “It’s okay to feel this.”

5. Seek Support if Needed

If emotions feel too heavy or confusing to process alone, speaking with a counsellor can help. Therapy provides a safe, supportive space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface and make sense of your experiences.

💬 Final Thoughts

Making time to process your emotions is an act of self-care and emotional maturity. You don’t have to wait for a crisis to tune in to how you feel. Start small. Be consistent. And remember: your feelings matter—and so do you