Why Emotional Awareness Matters

As a society, we often struggle to express our emotions. Many of us feel uncomfortable talking about our feelings, and even more of us have difficulty identifying exactly what we’re experiencing. This lack of emotional awareness means we often don’t recognize negative emotions until they become intense and overwhelming.

In my home, having open conversations about emotions is a priority. I believe that teaching my daughter how to acknowledge and cope with difficult feelings is just as important as providing her with food, clothing, and shelter. My experience as a psychiatric PA has shown me how challenging life can become for adults who have learned to avoid their emotions.

The Yin-Yang of Emotions

In my practice, I primarily prescribe medication for adults with ADHD, depression, and anxiety. A common theme I see is difficulty coping with negative emotions. Many patients don’t understand why it’s important to acknowledge or talk about uncomfortable feelings. To help them, I often use the yin-yang analogy: just as light and dark coexist, so do positive and negative emotions. You can’t fully experience joy without also being able to tolerate sadness. True peace is only possible if you’re willing to sit with fear, just as deep happiness is only possible if you can endure sorrow.

Using The Emotion Wheel

After discussing the yin-yang concept, I like to introduce the emotion wheel—a visual tool that illustrates a wide range of emotions and their opposites. Most adults can identify the basic emotions at the center of the wheel, but they often struggle to name the more nuanced feelings that branch out from the center. This lack of vocabulary can make it difficult to process what they’re experiencing, leaving them feeling lost and overwhelmed. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces.

Our Culture and Emotional Literacy

Unfortunately, our culture doesn’t prioritize emotional education. Growing up, I was taught the importance of physical health—eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising. But no one ever explained the importance of emotional wellness, or how deeply it can impact our physical health.

My Hopes For My Daughter

My hope is that by the time my daughter leaves for college, she’ll be able to recognize and sit with every emotion on the wheel. I want to teach her not just to care for her body, but also to value her emotional health. What about you? Do you talk to your daughter about emotions? How comfortable are you with labeling your own feelings?

To learn more I recommend reading this post, How well do you know yourself.