MYTH
Emotions are "good" or "bad"
MYTH.
Although some emotions are uncomfortable, they're important in challenging us and keeping us safe. for example, fear lets us know that we're unsafe.
*How has an uncomfortable emotion helped YOU?
It's okay to not be happy all the time.
TRUE.
Happiness is great, but it's more of a gift than a guarantee. Humans have A LOT of different emotions, and it's okay to feel them as they come.
**Are there times when you feel like you should be happy- and other emotions are not welcome?
Talking about how I feel is useless.
MYTH.
Talking about how we feel can help us gain a better understanding of our situation, and may help us move forward. It also helps us feel less alone.
**Who do you like to talk to when you feel uncomfortable emotions?
I control how I feel.
TRUTH.
Others can affect how we feel, but no one MAKES us feel a certain way. We have to take responsibility for what we feel, howe we respond, and the consequences of our response.
**When do you feel more in control of how you feel? Less in control?
*How do you deal with feeling less in control?
All emotions will pass.
TRUE.
Even the toughest emotions fade with time. This is important to remember when you feel stuck. Coping strategies can make these emotions feel more manageable.
**What strategies do you use when you're experiencing uncomfortable emotions?
I can ALWAYS trust my feelings.
MYTH.
Pay attention to how you feel, but be cautious about their meaning. For example, if you feel upset when a peer laughs from a distance- then assume they're laughing at you. You may be getting worked up without any evidence/reason.
*When was a time when you had a false assumption? What happened?
If I feel too much, I'll loose control.
MYTH.
Many people are afraid that if they feel their emotions- it will be too intense, and they may loose themselves. This is not true- in fact pushing emotions down often makes them more difficult to deal with.
*Which emotions are difficulty for you to feel? Why?
Others will think less of me, if I show my true emotions.
Showing your true emotions is hard. When you show others how you really feel, people often feel trusted and it helps then understand or relate to you. This helps you build positive relationships with friends and teachers.
*What is most challenging about being honest with others about what you're feeling?