Whether you use food, alcohol, drugs, work, texting or something else, suppressing emotions is habit-forming. The question is, “Why are feelings being generated by life and memories dreaded or boring?” Even if the events that are attached to emotions are long past and the issues are resolved, people often have the habit of numbing out while they are happening. When a person does this, the emotions do not go away. They linger and fester.

That’s why it is important to consider whether or not this has happened to you in any areas of your life. Have you noticed that the underlying goal of whatever your cover addiction is, is really to attain numbness or a deadness feeling state? Take a few deep breaths and pay think about this for a while. No worries, though. You can change any habit. You can become aware of your habits and vices that cover up your feelings and work toward becoming open to experiencing your feelings as they come.

The best way to do this is to just stop when you feel called to engage in the bad habit you know you want to break. Ask yourself why you want to do this thing right now and wait for the true answer to come to you. This is a worthy practice. Notice the word is “practice”. We’ll never be done with problems, memories, and feelings about them.  Such is life. But acknowledging your feelings and choosing how to channel them (with writing, exercise, etc.) will help you get control of your life and health and let go of whatever is dulling your sparkle.

*this information does not take the place of medical treatment