Doing and accomplishing can be distractions for me to avoid delving into uncomfortable feelings in another area of my life. It works. Meanwhile, I do not feel what I need to feel. Being busy doesn’t allow me to be present with what is. I push it deep inside and pretend it is not there.
I don’t notice that I’m pushing away discomfort. It is as natural and automatic to me as breathing. I only see it when I am mindful or if I later introspectively explore my motives.
If I am not in a position to pause and let the feelings abide in my body and show me where I am, I can purposefully put them in a box and close the lid. I will pull them out when I can give them full attention. Then I can feel what I need to feel and not leave it stuffed.
In a quiet moment, I recall the situation and the sensations that my body felt in the moment will return to be experienced. I can sit with them, appreciate and acknowledge the thoughts that accompany them and the underlying fear. When I see my fear and my human struggle against it, I can more easily let it dissolve.