Written by: Jess Frost, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Finding emotional freedom and resilience is a journey that I have travelled over the past 5 years.
It became apparent to me that I was very well trained at holding space for other people, but I wasn’t so well equipped to hold space for myself and honour my big emotions.
Many HSP’s have learnt to push down their own emotions for the comfort of others, maybe because their caregivers weren’t able to hold space for their sensitivity and big emotions in childhood. They may have been repeatedly told that they were “too sensitive”, “too much”, “too emotional”. In adulthood, they may feel deep compassion and empathy for others, but subconsciously shy away from showing themselves that same care and compassion.
Pushing down my emotions down resulted in the following:
Big emotion reactions due to build-up of frustration, bitterness, anger, shame.
Wearing multiple ‘masks’ dependent on the people I was around.
Perfectionism and professional burn-out.
Crippling people-pleasing and co-dependency (rescuing/fixing).
Anxiety and panic attacks.
Overthinking and rumination.
Digestive issues.
Seeking external validation.
Feeling lost and unfulfilled.
For years, I thought that being resilient was about being ‘strong’, ‘stoic’ and ‘ploughing on’ during difficult times. I would be the first one to help in a crisis, and repeatedly took on the role of a rescuer, feeling numb to my emotional needs during the process.
I would sob at fundraisers, the news, beautiful sunsets, other people’s stories but never managed to turn that empathy and compassion around, until the last few years.
Through committing to the holistic inner work and healing my subconscious beliefs and behaviours, I have been able to redefine resilience and find emotional freedom. Like any form of healing and self-development, it isn’t linear, however, I have made huge strides forward within my emotional health.
Below are just some of the things that have supported me:
Holistic Empowerment Coaches where I released subconscious beliefs and behaviours.
Therapy to heal past trauma.
Peer support groups.
Emotional Freedom Breathwork.
Inner Child Healing and IFS (internal family systems) work.
Movement and energy healing – Dance, Qigong, Reiki, chakra clearing breathwork.
Meditation.
Introduction of boundaries in life and business.
Amongst may other things, and techniques that I am still to discover.
Our big emotions aren’t something to be afraid of, sensitive soul. Allowing our emotions to be exactly what they need to be and honouring the flow will enable us to live a calmer, healthier, more aligned and authentic life.
To find out more about how I may be able to support you, please do connect.
I am also running a FREE virtual Masterclass; ‘Unlocking the Authentic YOU – Your guide to emotional freedom and inner peace’ on Thursday 28th April. Get in touch to secure your space.
Jess Frost, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jess Frost, is an Empowerment Coach for Highly Sensitive People and Empaths. After years of being told she was "too sensitive", burning out and numbing out due to overstimulation and overwhelm, Jess' world started making sense when she identified as a Highly Sensitive Person and Empath. She now dedicates her time to supporting other HSP's and Empaths around the globe. Jess runs 1:1 and group programmes to help HSP's and Empaths to stand in their authentic, sensitive superpowers and heal their shadow with NLP and Time Line Therapy. She is also the host of The EMpowering PATH podcast.
