Emotions

Hi tige. Can I ask what triggers these feelings of immense sadness. Is it something definite or just everything? People advising you to 'sit with the feeling'. Perhaps they're trying to help you 'get in touch' with why you feel so sad. Keeping busy is good, but to keep busy as a means of escaping from what's hurting you is temporary, till you stop for a break. Perhaps watching t.v or reading a book or hearing certain songs triggers these feelings. If none of the above means anything, next time this feeling washes over, think about where you are, what you were doing/saying. Who were you talking to, what about, I think that's what people mean about sitting with the feeling. Once you face whatever is making you feel so sad, that's when you can work on overcoming those feelings.

Hi, thank you for your reply. I'm not sure what's triggered it, other than not being in touch with any emotions for weeks. Previously I was just really angry. And then this past week I have taken some time out to try and just see what it is I'm feeling. And the sadness enveloped me.

Hi @tige

I don't think we've 'met' before - welcome to the forums.

I have heard psychologists talk about 'sitting' with feelings. My understanding of this is that it's okay to feel negative feelings and sometimes we just have to 'sit with it' and not analyse, think, over think or get caught up in it and let it pass. Sometimes it can be helpful to think about emotions in this way.

Are you talking to anyone else about the saddness?

Hi @tige. Just sitting with it means: just that. How to do it? That's a bit harder, but you can do it. You say there is a feeling of overwhelming sadness. Sadness is your feeling. When you notice it - just sit down - don't do anything. Try not to analyze or over think it. If you feel sad - then you are sad. You may cry. You may not. See if you are able to sit with that emotion & without trying to distract yourself.
It can be hard at first. When I tried to do this initially, I was in hospital, so I had support.
Sometimes I couldn't identify what I was feeling at all. Then I'd grab a pen and paper & just start writing. "I'm feeling sort of off. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know what I'm feeling ......." Then I would just continue to write whatever wanted to be written.
Are you seeing a psychologist? It's beneficial to speak with a professional.
Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. All the best