An Emotional Storm
Posted in The Life of the Historian and tagged with Emotions, Women on November 17, 2009
I wrote this post Monday afternoon, and a few hours later I reached my breaking point when the tears came. It was during an emotional online conversation with a good friend and was such a relief. She didn’t like to be the straw that broke the camel’s back, but I’m so thankful that she was. God is good.
Right now I’d say I was an 8.5 on a 10-point emotional scale, and have been for about a week. I’m emotional for some reasons I can share (another post) and some others that I can’t (or at least won’t on a public blog!).
After weeks like these, I wonder how I ever thought I wasn’t emotional. I was most certainly lying to myself, because I haven’t grown MORE emotional, just learned to express them in more constructive ways and not let them rule me (at least more often than before).
In the past, I’d be rather stoic until I had an unexpected, big, messy emotional explosion (my parents remind me often of my blowup over shoes in 2002). I haven’t had one of those in years (not since The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was dubbed my “crying movie” in 2006), but I feel like I’m on the verge now.
Every time I want to cry, it’s not a good time (like on the bus or in a room full of people), and every time I could, the tears don’t come. It’s not that I’m sad or depressed, really. Or at least not exclusively so. Strong emotions of any kind will bring me to tears. I’m not exactly sure WHAT all I’m feeling, but I know that I’m teeming with all these different emotions.
Though it’s not necessarily fun to be emotional, I’m thankful for these emotions. And that’s certainly something new.
Photo by laffy4k
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November 17th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Sometimes a girl just needs to cry it out. I broke down talking to my husband Sunday evening, and then again Monday morning and then again on the phone with my mom Monday afternoon.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Emotions…even the elderly have them…Crying is good. You do feel drained when it it all over…however, a good drain. I can remember long ago…kids were still home, I was climbing on a chair to get something from the cupboard. I fell and really hit my head…had been an emotional time…I cried, cried, and cried…then looked around and knew there was no one there to see me, or care…I thought…why am I crying…that ended that. Yes, at any age we need to cry it out.
November 17th, 2009 at 7:26 am
I cry at least once a week. Perhaps that’s a smidge excessive, but the release that comes with that is wonderful. I have enough emotions for both Riley and myself, which is a good thing because I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I’ve seen him get emotional! Must be a family trait ;-)
November 17th, 2009 at 8:03 am
I can cry when I am sad, mad, frustrated, embarrassed, surprised, or just in some way touched by kindness. As others have said, it is just such a good emotional and tension release. Glad you are trying to embrace it. :)
November 17th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I’m with Cheryl! I have had to tame my emotions a bit over the years, but they are still there and especially the tendency to cry. I hope you are able to continue to embrace that and recognize that big girls really do cry :-) and it’s ok!
November 17th, 2009 at 9:45 am
i am an uber emotional person… not that anyone neccesarily enjoys teasrs in public, but i got worse with pregnancy (hormones).
Here’s a thought — I was once told that being emotional means that we are more spiritual. The explanation was something to the effect of it means our heart is more “open” to feel and when we have an open heart we are often more times in tune with the spirit and with the things that God would have us do… So–now, i don’t mind being so emotional! In fact… I endorse it :)
Remember, we are not human beings having spiritul experiences, but rather we are spiritual beings having human experiences… how can we help but not cry on occassion?
November 17th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I think the closer we grow to God and the deeper our relationship with Him becomes, the more emotional we become. Five years ago I would cry from time to time, but something changed in me when I decided I was going to really work at my intimacy with the Lord and strive to be obedient. Something happened emotionally, and I cry almost every day about something. Thankfully, it’s usually when I’m alone. I joked with my friend that I was going to start marking on the calendar the days that I didn’t cry. I think so far 2 days is my record. :/
I think the emotions signify how alive we are. It’s okay.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Sometimes some people just need a good cry.
November 17th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I can totally relate to this right now. I feel like I’m going to break any time now. No one thing gets me to crying. It’s like individual things pile up and up and up… and then they all come toppling over at once.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Aww I know how you feel!
November 19th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Tara: I agree. I’m such a crier…it really helps!
Amanda: I don’t cry every week, but I could. I mean, I tear up ALL the time, but that’s something else altogether.
Cheryl: Yep, sounds like me!
Emma: I’m not sure about the link between emotional and spiritual. I think it’s wrong to be TOO emotional (allowing them to rule) and wrong to be not emotional enough as we are emotional creatures, like our Father.
Liz: I do think that we’re emotional more sensitive in some ways as we grow more like Christ. The things that get me crying are changing from more selfish things to more other-oriented (others’ sins and hurts).
November 20th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I always say better to be emotional and feel something real than bottle everything up inside or never care enough to have those feelings… =/
November 21st, 2009 at 5:17 am
Hugs! It’s not good to bottle things up – so why not watch a sad film and let those tears out.
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:51 am
Here from BPOTW
**hugs** As other people here said, it’s good to talk about and get your feelings out. The longer you keep them bottled up the worse they’ll become. **hugs**
November 22nd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I guess it’s part of all of us at some time or another. Hope it made you feel better to cry and to blog about it. Just get out the movie next time you feel like crying and nobody will ever be the wiser!
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Whoa. I feel it.
May you know (perhaps experience again?) that God is big enough to handle our most challenging questions. May you find the answers and comfort and peace you seek.
Blessings,
Daja
(visiting via BPOTW)
November 30th, 2009 at 12:15 am
[...] good month. I got to spend time in the country I love and with people that I love. Sure, I saw emotions deeper than I’ve ever felt, and through some hard personal times, but I believe I’ve grown through those times and am [...]