Feeling All of Our Feelings, Even the Crappy Ones

This morning, I woke up to news that something I had been eagerly looking forward to, something I’d hoped for and envisioned, wasn’t going to happen—or at least, not in the way I had imagined. My first reaction was a wave of sadness, disappointment, and even frustration. Thoughts like, “This is typical, I never get what I want,” floated into my mind. These thoughts weren’t true, of course, but in that moment, they felt comforting to indulge in, like wrapping myself in a blanket of self-pity.

As I sat with these feelings, I realized there was absolutely nothing I could do to change the outcome. Reality and my expectations were misaligned, and I had no choice but to face the truth: things were not going to unfold the way I had hoped. It felt unfair and frustrating, and yes, I’ll admit it—I was a little mad about it. I was upset because what I wanted mattered deeply to me. It wasn’t just some passing wish; it was something I had poured my energy, time, and emotions into.

But instead of pushing those feelings away, I decided to stay present with them. I allowed myself to feel each emotion as it came. From frustration to disappointment to sadness, I let it all in. Tears welled up in my eyes as I confronted the harsh reality of letting go of a dream that wasn’t going to materialize the way I had envisioned. It felt heavy and hard.

Yet, in that stillness, I noticed a shift. After giving myself permission to feel those emotions fully, I began to move toward a place of acceptance. I started thinking about the situation with a different lens, asking myself what might actually be possible now that my original plan wasn’t going to happen. What opportunities could arise that I hadn’t considered because I’d been so focused on a single outcome?

Letting go isn’t easy, especially when you care deeply about something. But I’ve learned that letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means making space—space for new possibilities, new outcomes, and even new dreams.

Acceptance doesn’t happen all at once. For me, it was a gradual process, like peeling back layers of resistance. I had to acknowledge that my feelings of disappointment were valid. They were real and important. But I also had to recognize that holding onto frustration or anger wouldn’t change the situation. It would only weigh me down.

One of the most comforting things I’ve learned is that I don’t have to have all the answers. Faith in a power greater than myself has been a cornerstone of my journey. It’s a reminder that I don’t have to figure everything out or control every outcome. I can trust that there’s a bigger picture unfolding, even if I can’t see it right now.

There’s a certain peace that comes with this mindset. It allows me to let go of the pressure to have everything perfectly planned and instead focus on taking the next right step. I can do my best with the knowledge and resources I have, trusting that things will work out as they’re meant to—often in ways that are even better than I could have imagined.

Of course, not every disappointment is easy to accept. Some hit harder than others. Some lessons feel sharper, leaving a sting that lingers. But even in those moments, I remind myself that every experience—good or bad—is an opportunity for growth.

It’s in the contrast that we truly learn to appreciate life. We feel disappointment because we know what joy feels like. We recognize struggle because we’ve experienced ease. And just as joy doesn’t last forever, neither does pain. Life is a constant ebb and flow, and every emotion we experience teaches us something valuable.

When I think about this morning, I realize that the most important thing I did was allow myself to observe my feelings without judgment. Instead of suppressing them or pretending they didn’t exist, I let them flow through me. I let myself cry, I let myself be mad, and I let myself feel the full weight of disappointment. And then, I let those feelings soften, making space for acceptance.

This process—feeling, observing, and letting go—is where true growth happens. It’s not about bypassing the hard emotions or trying to skip straight to the lesson. It’s about being present with whatever is happening, knowing that every emotion is valid and every experience has something to teach us.

Now, as I sit with the reality of this situation, I find myself feeling a quiet sense of hope. I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen next, but I do know that there’s potential for something wonderful to unfold. It may not look like the plan I had in mind, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be just as meaningful—or even better.

Choosing to believe in the possibility of something amazing isn’t just a mindset; it’s a choice. It’s a decision to focus on hope and faith rather than fear and doubt. And honestly, if I can choose what to believe, why not choose to believe in the best?

So here I am, ready to see what this new outcome holds. I’m excited for the possibilities I haven’t even thought of yet, the opportunities that are waiting just around the corner. I trust that whatever comes next will align perfectly with where I’m meant to be.

If you’re navigating a disappointment of your own, I hope my experience reminds you that you’re not alone. Life is full of ups and downs, and it’s okay to feel all the emotions that come with those moments. But know this: you are resilient. You are capable of finding joy and growth even in the unexpected.

I’m here, walking this journey alongside you, using the tools and resources I’ve gathered to navigate life as gracefully as I can. We’re all in this together, learning, growing, and finding our way. And no matter what, we have the power to choose hope, to choose faith, and to choose to believe in something greater.

Here’s to embracing the unexpected, trusting the process, and finding beauty in every twist and turn.