Feelings Quote by Brooke Castillo
““We avoid our feelings by consulpting. (Consuming something compulsively.) This always just adds a layer of ick to the negative feeling we already have. We feel lonely. We avoid it with three bowls of Lucky Charms. We feel full instead. We feel our feelings by naming them. Noticing them in our bodies. Paying attention. We listen for the thoughts causing the feelings and write them down. We stay connected even when it feels bad. We use our feelings when we find the thoughts causing them and do the thought work to change them.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The School of Self-Compassion Podcast, 2022
People often mask emotional pain with compulsive habits, which temporarily distracts but deepens the underlying distress. Recognizing and naming feelings, then tracing their mental origins, allows healthier processing.
In simple terms: Masking pain with distraction worsens it; naming and tracing feelings helps heal.
Key Takeaway
Name and trace feelings to heal.
Themes
self-awareness
emotional health
mindfulness
Mood
reflective
hopeful
calm
Type
advice
self-help
When to use this quote
- stress eating
- loneliness
- mental health therapy
- journaling
Key Concepts
psychology
self-compassion
Questions to Reflect On
- What feeling are you avoiding?
- How can you notice the body signals before acting?
A Different Perspective
Compulsive distraction can become a habit that’s hard to break.
