Feeling feelings is tough

Getting sober is wildly uncomfortable in so many ways. I suppressed my feelings for so long that I’m uncomfortable with nearly every single feeling. It’s hard to even identify feelings sometimes.
It feels like I’m having to learn how to be a human again, it gets so frustrating especially when others can’t understand :sweat_smile:
Does anybody else experience anything similar?

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Yessss! It gets easier. Just be kind and patient with yourself. There was a feelings weel on the mental health thread. I’ll see if i can find it.

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This is helpful…

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Part of the process is being able to identify the emotion.

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Thank you! I’m going to start reading that thread, this helps so much!

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Oh wow, can I ever relate, you are definitely not alone.

3.5 years into recovery and I still find myself in avoidance sometimes. Feelings are hard but I am so grateful that today they are managable, when I was using my feelings were so intense. I shared about this on another thread recently… my feelings have moved from pure rage to feeling discontent and suicidal to sad. I can sit through feelings of being sad and discontent if I remind myself where I came from and that these feelings arent going to last forever. I have been practicing gratitude for my feelings. I am grateful that I am not numb today and that I get to feel. I am grateful that I have a big support system to help me navigate the harder feelings I face. Recovery is amazing, and it takes a lot of courage. You’re brave. :heart:

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Im outta hearts. Well said @Its_me_Stella

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This gives me so much hope and motivation, thank you. It’s nice knowing that I’m not the only one going through these kinds of things :heart:

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Same for me too. It gets better, but it’s because I’ve accepted these uncomfortable feelings with grace and compassion. It always leads me to personal growth. Keep going ODAAT!

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Thank you for sharing this one. I will try to find a Dutch one on the internet, I like it.

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Yup! I’m being overwhelmed with feelings since getting sober. I didn’t even know I could feel so many things… But it does get easier to manage in time.

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Yes, be kind with yourself while you go through this, try to counteract the hard feelings with things that comfort you and make you feel happier, do a happy list of things you love and try to incorporate these things into your life as much as you can right now, try to balance the rough with the smooth, my love to you :heart:

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Exactly. Recovery and sobriety isn’t only about positive feelings… It’s as well with negative feelings, with which you work to understand them better.

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