Addicted to Feeling.
There was a time in my life where I was very comfortable with feeling sad, I found it an easy emotion to tolerate even though there was literally no benefit to feeling sad. However, how “sad” felt in my body was easier to experience than more intense emotions like excitement or anxiety so my brain would support me by encouraging me to notice things that I found sad, like children being brought up with domestic violence, or animals being mistreated in some way. I rarely feel sadness these days, I have done a lot of self-discovery work and I know myself well, and I realised I was using feelings of sadness to avoid other feelings that I found much more difficult to experience.
Addiction is often associated with substances like drugs or alcohol, but addiction can also manifest in other forms, including being addicted to feeling. As human beings, we are emotional creatures, and our emotions play a significant role in shaping our lives. While experiencing a wide range of emotions is a normal part of the human experience, some individuals find themselves constantly seeking out certain emotions, even if those emotions are negative or harmful. This phenomenon of being addicted to feeling can have a profound impact on a person's life and well-being.
Addiction to feeling is not about being addicted to a specific emotion, such as happiness or joy, but rather about becoming addicted to the process of feeling intense emotions, regardless of whether they are positive or negative. It's the constant pursuit of emotional highs, the thrill of feeling something intensely, that can become addictive. This can lead to a rollercoaster of emotions where individuals may seek out situations or behaviors that trigger these intense feelings, even if they are detrimental to their mental, emotional, and physical health.
One reason why people become addicted to feeling is that emotions can be powerful and can provide a sense of purpose or meaning in life. When we feel strongly about something, whether it's love, anger, or excitement, it can give us a sense of aliveness and purpose. It can make us feel like we are truly living and experiencing life to the fullest. However, this addiction to feeling can also become problematic when individuals start relying solely on these intense emotions to feel alive, rather than seeking a more balanced emotional landscape.
Another factor that can contribute to addiction to feeling is the brain's reward system. When we experience intense emotions, our brain releases neurotransmitters like dopamine, which are associated with pleasure and reward. This can create a feedback loop where individuals constantly seek out intense emotions in order to trigger that pleasurable response in the brain. Over time, the brain becomes wired to associate these intense emotions with pleasure, leading to a cycle of seeking out emotional highs.
Addiction to feeling can manifest in different ways. Some individuals may become addicted to the drama in their lives, constantly seeking out conflict or chaos to experience the emotional intensity that comes with it. They may thrive on the adrenaline rush of arguments, confrontations, or other behaviors. Others may become addicted to negative emotions, such as sadness or anger, finding comfort in the familiarity of these emotions or using them as a coping mechanism to mask deeper emotional pain.
The consequences of being addicted to feeling can be far-reaching. It can lead to impulsive and unhelpful behaviors, strained relationships, and a diminished ability to cope with everyday life. Seeking out intense emotions can become all-consuming, leading individuals to neglect other important aspects of their lives, such as work, self-care, and healthy relationships. Over time, this addiction to feeling can take a toll on one's mental and physical health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression.
So, how can one overcome an addiction to feeling? Here are a few strategies:
1. Self-awareness: Recognize and acknowledge that you have an addiction to feeling. Reflect on the emotions that you tend to seek out and why you might be addicted to them. Understanding the underlying reasons behind your addiction can be the first step in breaking free from it.
2. Healthy coping mechanisms: Find healthy ways to cope with emotions. Instead of constantly seeking out intense emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms such as mindfulness, exercise, or talking to a trusted friend or therapist. Learning to regulate your emotions in a healthy way can help you break free from the cycle of addiction.
3. Balance: Strive for emotional balance. Recognize that life is a mix of both positive and negative emotions.
This felt a little more serious than I intended this week, I will pick a lighter topic next week for your pleasure, until then have a great weekend. :)
