Collective Emotional Vortex vs. Collective Emotional Flow
When I'm not working as a Feelings Translator, I'm working as a therapist, using a personality framework called the Enneagram to help people discover their reactive autopilot patterns that were originally meant to protect us from painful experiences, but as adults actually keep us trapped in cages.
Recently, I attended a workshop on Collective Shadows, or tensions, uncertainties, ego issues, insecurities, and conflict that arise and impact us on a societal/global scale because of our own individual shadows.
Especially with the new US presidential administration, it's safe to say that tons of people feel just the OPPOSITE of safe.
None of us live in a vacuum, so even personal work on becoming emotionally healthy as an individual cannot exclude what's happening in our larger contexts.
I am still unpacking what I learned about our collective blindspots and biases that are mutually reinforcing our own individual ego patterns.
But what I'm reminded of is that when we as individuals don't work on our own emotional health, our reactive patterns amplify out of control, setting off a vicious chaotic cycle that I call the Emotional Vortex.
Not only does this Emotional Vortex make hard things WORSE for us, but it also pulls OTHER PEOPLE into the mess or sets off THEIR own Emotional Vortex.
What happens if all of us are super triggered and reactively dump our pain and rage onto each other? This is what happens on a collective level:
Whether we like it our not, each of our wellbeing is intricately linked to those of others. Self-care and care for others don't have to be mutually exclusive (though it might feel that way the more you're stressed and the louder your survival/defense mechanisms).
Perhaps we are where we are now collectively in the present because we've overemphasized individualism and the Me vs. You stance.
Maybe the way for us to heal (both individually and as a country or common human race) is for us to focus in on INTERCONNECTEDNESS instead, as is one of the themes I've been hearing and seeing so much in the midst of the LA Fires - even with nothing, we don't have nothing because we still have each other.
There's a reason why you're (still) here.
You might have found me through social media, word of mouth, Google, etc.
Some of you might opt out after reading this blog. That's okay, and I wish everyone well regardless. Truly.
But those of you who do stick around might be staying because there's something you found in what I've written that deeply RESONATES with something true & sacred in you.
If you're also sensing that what's happening in the world might be part of a global wakeup call for humanity, here's what you do:
Tame your own Emotional Vortex ASAP, and switch into Emotional Flow PRONTO.
Emotional Vortex = Hurt people hurt people.
Emotional Flow = Healed people heal people.
The best way for you to bring a net positive impact on this planet might be for you to see how: (1) our fates are all interconnected, and (2) your sacred work is to:
do your inner work
take responsibility for your own emotional health and maturity,
confront and work on your shadows/blindspots
grow beyond your reactive patterns (because yes, there's so much more to you than how you've been thus far!).
Here are the 3 central guiding questions from the Collective Shadows Retreat that I pass onto you:
What feelings or reactions are being triggered inside of you based on what you're seeing outside in the world?
How are you reacting to these triggers? Are you REACTING (Emotional Vortex) or are you RESPONDING (Emotional Flow)?
How can you take care of your heart, mind, and body this week?
Symbolically and literally, it's important to put out the current fires. But it's also important to know and deal with what's causing these fires in the first place and proactively make the world less flammable...
How do we do this? By replenishing ourselves, each other, and the world at large. Fill your empty tanks unto overflowing, and with the surplus, pour into your neighbors' tanks.
Peace be with you all this turbulent year. Wishing for all of us to switch from our Collective Emotional Vortex into Collective Emotional Flow, one person, one feeling, and one need at a time.
Save this as a reminder to take time to rest
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Joanne Kim, Feelings Translator
Hi! I’m a therapist-turned feelings coach who helps Highly Sensitive Persons, Empaths, Enneagram 2s & 4s, etc. turn their BIGGEST feelings into their GREATEST superpower!
They are often the first (or only) person in their family to intuitively process and express feelings; consequently, they are often judged or criticized so that they learn to people please, placate, or perform until they hit a wall.
They’re super familiar with anxiety, guilt, and shame, partly because of an allergic reaction to anger (theirs and others').
Often the super responsible, empathic, and ethical person in their environments, they reach out to me after they're already burned out, resentful in their relationships, or sucked into their shame spiral.
The most common feedback I get from people when I share about how feelings work is,
"Why didn't anyone teach me this in school??"
Hence, I am building a school helping people work WITH their feelings so their feelings work FOR them.
Do you feel dull or focused? If the former, it might be time for you to rest and recharge so that your daily life feels smoother. Read more about how you can sharpen yourself as an ax.