Before I go on doing my thing, I just wanted to take a second to come write to you today.

I have been so frustrated, angry, and worried this past two weeks for multiple reasons.

But my intention is not to complain. My intention, right now, is to observe these feelings and understand why they are coming to the surface.

Frustration has been a big thing in my life. From wanting to take a course related to computers but told not to to wanting to audition for cheer and glee club and all that in high school but too self-conscious to do so.

In the thick of frustration, we wish we could do more, be more, have more.

And we forget what we do have right now.

It's just like having your tooth ache. You don't appreciate being pain free until the pain sets in.

So these are my questions for us this week:

First of all, do you have to be an expert at overcoming frustration before you can actually talk or teach about it?

My coach, Meg, used to say you don't have to be an expert to talk about something. You have your own life and experiences as an example.

She is spot on.

Sometimes we feel like we need to be fully knowledgeable on something before we can actually talk about it. And that has its own merits as well. As someone who has worked in academic writing before, I could say credible references are very important, too.

We are, after all, sharing information openly to the rest of the online (possibly offline) world and there is a certain responsibility that goes with it.

But as it pertains to feelings and emotions? I feel like those are very subjective topics. And vary accordingly.

And thus, I feel like you are always free to talk about and express how you feel. It may irk some people, but it is your truth as well.

When it comes to the feeling of frustration, I'd like to add that you've also had experiences when you've definitely overcome your frustrations (whether intentionally or otherwise).

And if so, why not share about how you were able to overcome those emotions if it means being able to help or uplift someone too along the way?

So now that we have the imposter syndrome out of the way... let's ask our set of questions that may also serve as journal prompts:

How does moving through frustration feel like for you?
How do you feel after that frustrating feeling?
How can you hold space for feeling with frustrated while being present and aware?
As I always share, it's important to understand and observe feelings when they come up.

There is nothing wrong about feelings at all. It is about how you respond to them internally and act on them externally.

It is safe to process your emotions.

Reacting on them on the spot might help you express in the mean time but just be careful who you vent to because they might not be at the same capacity to hold space for you at that time.

Journaling helps tremendously, but I feel like there is no substitute to talking about how you feel to another human being who understands.

Frustration can be a difficult feeling.

You might know that all too well too. But can we keep ourselves accountable that, when we feel this way, when this feeling comes up to the surface, we try our best to talk about it to someone whether virtually or IRL? Because we need that human connection. That empathy. That safe ear that listens without judgement or shame.

I hope you do find that person. And I hope you do get to process safely however you are feeling in this moment.

Have a beautiful week!

Thank you for being here and take care!

Elaine 💘