Kind of like trying to hold a Beach Ball Underwater!
As a mum balancing the demands of business, family, and self, you may often feel like you're trying to hold everything together, pushing down your emotions to get through the day. Resonant?
This scenario is not just challenging—it's exhausting.
By the way, have you ever tried holding a beach ball underwater? It’s a powerful metaphor for what happens when we suppress our emotions, and it's incredibly relevant for mums in business.
The Beach Ball and Your Emotions
Imagine trying to hold a beach ball underwater. You push it down, maybe even try to sit on it, doing everything you can to keep it submerged. But you know that the moment you let go, the ball will shoot up into the air, possibly hitting you in the face. This struggle symbolizes what happens when we shove down our emotions, suppressing them throughout the day and denying their existence. If you keep that ball underwater, you don’t have to deal with it—or so it seems.
But think about the energy it takes to keep that ball submerged. It’s exhausting, isn’t it? My arms feel tired just at the thought!
The same is true for suppressing emotions. The constant effort drains your energy, leading to stress, fatigue, and even burnout. And eventually, just like the beach ball, those emotions will come to the surface—often in unexpected and sometimes unhealthy ways (aimed at others such as your kids & husband)!
Letting the Beach Ball Float: Embracing Your Emotions
Now, imagine letting the beach ball float freely on the water’s surface. Instead of battling to keep it submerged, you allow it to bob gently on the water. This is what it feels like to acknowledge your emotions rather than suppressing them. When you see the ball floating, you can appreciate its colours, feel its texture, and recognize it for what it is—a part of your experience, but not the whole of who you are.
In this analogy, the beach ball represents your emotions. It’s important to understand that emotions are not you; they are a part of you. Many people mistakenly identify with their emotions, saying things like, “I am a depressed person,” or “I am an anxious person.” These “I am” statements are identity-based, but in reality, you are made up of many parts, not just one emotion.
The goal is not to let these emotions define you.
Partnering With Your Emotions
If you want to feel whole and balanced, the key is to work with your emotions, not against them. Turn towards what you feel, acknowledge it, and allow it to be heard, seen, accepted, and understood.
Imagine telling yourself, “All of you is welcome here; you have a place.” This level of acceptance is transformative.
Think about how you would speak to a child—with kindness, patience, and understanding. Now, imagine applying that same approach to yourself and your emotions. How would that feel? What happens when you accept all parts of yourself with compassion? Life no longer feels like something that happens to you. Instead, you experience radical self-acceptance, which opens the door to greater peace and balance.
Why This Matters for Mums in Business
As a mum in business, you’re constantly juggling multiple roles, often pushing your own needs and emotions to the side to keep everything afloat. But this approach is like holding that beach ball underwater—it’s not sustainable. Acknowledging your emotions allows you to conserve your energy, reduce stress, and avoid burnout. When you let the ball rise, you’re choosing to embrace your feelings, which leads to a healthier, more balanced life.
Embracing your emotions doesn't mean they control you. It means you’re giving them space to be, recognizing their messages without letting them take over. This practice is a powerful form of self-care that allows you to be fully present for yourself, your family, and your business.
Finding Balance Through Emotional Awareness
For mums in business, emotional awareness is crucial to achieving balance. Instead of suppressing your emotions, try acknowledging and accepting them. This shift will not only save you from the exhaustion of holding everything down but will also empower you to navigate life with greater clarity and peace. Remember, your emotions are like that beach ball—they are a part of your experience, but they do not define you.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed, remember the beach ball analogy. Allow yourself to experience witnessing the ball floating on the water rather than pushing it down. Allow your emotions rise, and embrace them with compassion. Your well-being, and your ability to balance all aspects of your life, depends on it.
---
FREE VIDEO SERIES HERE: Time-Saving Self Care Hacks for Mums that fit seamlessly into your busy lifestyle here.
Sarah Cremona is a Somatic Mentor for Professional Mothers + the founder of The Mumma Nest. She is a professional Life Coach & Facilitator, trained in Positive Psychology, Emotional Intelligence, Meta Dynamics, NLP + is trauma Informed. Sarah is a best selling author, keynote speaker & multi award winner in community / women's wellness & wellbeing.
コメント