When Knowing The Truth Hurts Too Much

My daughter worries a lot.

She's only once had a panic attack, and most often it manifests in physical symptoms -- sore throat, a bad stomach, and throwing up.

As a result of her anxiety, my husband and I are cautious of what we say, and what we don't. What truths we can reveal, and what to hold back.

Two weeks ago, she started middle school, and is taking the bus home a few times a week.

The night before her first bus ride, I asked my husband, "At what point do we need to tell her about sexual assault and rape? The statistics are 1 in 3."

She's 11.

The truth is, many of us feel worried, anxious, stressed, afraid and overwhelmed in the face of uncertainty and powerlessness.

Sometimes we think that by knowing the truth, we'll have more control of these feelings.

Sometimes not knowing feels safer.

Either way, uncertainty and lack of control can lead to feelings of "too much."

In this month's book-based exploration, I am partnering with Alexandra Götzfried to explore the first chapter of Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown.

We'll be exploring these often painful emotions in a variety of creative ways, giving you space to understand them better, and reframe your relationship with them.

Often we see these emotions as enemies to avoid.

What if, instead, they are friends offering information towards a solution?

If you'd like to join us, please reply "too much" in the comments below, and I will send you the information.

👉 In the meantime, who's the uncertain one in the picture below? The pepper or the orange?


Originally posted on LinkedIn with comments.

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