Very strong feelings that can seem out of control can be called your “big” feelings, and less intense feelings can be called your “small” feelings. This section of your workbook includes activities that will help you understand more about both kinds of feelings. At http://www.newharbinger.com/38594, you can also download a bonus activity called “Identifying Your Target Feelings.”
Feelings can be uncomfortable, and sometimes you may want to pretend uncomfortable feelings aren’t there. While that is a normal response, it is important to know that your uncomfortable feelings will actually go away much faster when you notice them and figure out why they popped up in the first place. It is more helpful to know about and label a feeling when you have it than to ignore a feeling or pretend it isn’t there. When you notice and label your feelings, it helps your brain understand that what you feel is normal.
Remember, all your feelings are important, even the uncomfortable ones. When you notice an excited feeling, it is usually a signal that you might really enjoy something. But when you notice an uncomfortable feeling, it is usually a signal that you might dislike something. When you notice this signal, or feeling, on purpose, your brain starts to understand why it is there and helps you figure out what to say or do to make the feeling stay small or go away. Noticing and understanding your feelings is a big first step in helping you gain control of both your feelings and your behaviors.