An Estranged Mother's Guide

Managing Your Emotions

Dealing with emotions can be a difficult task, especially for an estranged mother. Here are ten tips that can help you manage your emotions in a healthy way:

Acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to experience them: Acknowledging and experiencing our feelings is an important part of our emotional well-being. The first step is to identify and name the emotion we are feeling. Once we have identified the emotion, we can try to understand why we are feeling that way. It is important to give ourselves permission to experience and express our emotions without judgment. This can involve finding healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions, such as talking to a trusted friend or therapist, practicing self-care activities, or engaging in a creative outlet. By acknowledging and allowing ourselves to experience our emotions, we can learn to better understand ourselves and improve our overall emotional health.
Don't suppress your emotions, express them in a constructive way: Expressing emotions in a constructive way is important and can be beneficial for mental and emotional well-being. It's important to acknowledge and validate our emotions rather than suppress them, as repressed emotions can lead to negative consequences such as increased stress and anxiety. Finding healthy ways to express our emotions such as through journaling, talking to a friend or coach, or engaging in creative outlets can help us process and cope with our feelings. It's also important to communicate our emotions in a respectful and constructive manner in our relationships with others to avoid conflict and promote understanding.
Seek support from a Coach, support group, or trusted friend: If you are struggling with a problem or facing a challenging situation, seeking support from a coach, support group, or trusted friend can help you navigate your way through it. To seek support, it's important to first identify the type of support you need and then find the right person or group to provide it. When reaching out, be clear about what you need and how the person can best support you. It's also important to actively listen to their advice and guidance and take action steps to move forward. Remember, seeking support is a sign of strength and can help you move forward in a positive direction.
Practice self-care, such as exercise, healthy eating, and meditation: Practicing self-care is essential for maintaining good physical and mental health. Regular exercise is a great way to improve fitness and reduce stress levels. Eating a healthy, balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients for the body to function properly. Meditation can help to calm the mind and reduce anxiety. Making time for these activities is important for overall well-being. Start by setting aside a few minutes each day to focus on self-care and gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable with the activities. Remember to listen to your body and do what feels best for you.
Set boundaries to protect your mental health and well-being: Setting boundaries is an important step in protecting your mental health and well-being. Start by identifying what you need and what you are willing to tolerate. Communicate your boundaries clearly and respectfully to those around you. Be consistent in enforcing your boundaries and recognize that it is okay to say no. Remember that setting boundaries is not selfish, it is necessary for your own self-care. Lastly, be open to adjusting your boundaries as needed and seek support from loved ones or a coach if necessary to assist and support you.
Focus on what you can control and let go of what you can't: Focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you can't is an important skill to develop. Start by identifying what is within your control and what is not. Then, focus your energy and attention on the things you can control, such as your thoughts, actions, and attitude. Accept that there are things outside of your control, such as other people's behaviors and external circumstances. Practice mindfulness and self-awareness to stay present and focused on the things that matter. Remember that letting go of what you can't control can lead to greater peace and happiness in your life.
Try to see the situation from different perspectives: To see a situation from a different perspective, try stepping back and considering it from an outsider's point of view. Ask yourself what someone else might see or think about the situation. You can also try to approach it with an open mind and consider alternative solutions or outcomes that you may not have previously considered. Another helpful technique is to seek out the opinions and insights of others who may have a different perspective or experience. By doing so, you can gain a more well-rounded understanding of the situation and potentially find new ways to approach it.
Practice forgiveness, not for the other person, but for yourself: Practicing forgiveness can be challenging, but it's important to remember that forgiveness is not for the other person, it's for yourself. Holding onto anger and resentment can weigh you down emotionally and mentally. To begin practicing forgiveness, start by acknowledging your emotions and allowing yourself to feel them. Then, try to understand the other person's perspective and consider why they may have taken certain actions. It can also be helpful to communicate with the person and express how you feel calmly and respectfully. Ultimately, forgiveness is about letting go of negative emotions and moving forward with peace.
Be patient and kind to yourself, healing takes time: Being patient and kind to yourself is crucial when it comes to healing. Whether it's healing from physical or emotional pain, it's important to remember that the process takes time. It's easy to become frustrated and discouraged when progress seems slow, but it's important to give yourself grace and acknowledge that healing is a journey. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, and remember that healing is not a linear process. Celebrate small victories along the way and trust that with time and effort, you will get there.
Remember that you are not alone and there is hope for reconciliation: Being estranged from your child is a difficult and painful experience. However, it's important to remember that you are not alone. This is an issue that few people want to talk about but it must be discussed if healing is going to happen. Find someone you can confide in to share your feelings and frustrations. Your happiness cannot be tied to whether or not there is reconciliation with your child.

There Is Always Someone To Talk To

Friend * Neighbor * Co-worker * Pastor * Doctor * Me

Email heyfayehartzell@gmail.com and I will do my best to point you in the right direction.

The important thing is to talk to someone and remember, there's always a listening ear in prayer.