Feeling emotions for the 'first' time when you haven't felt in so long.

[paperorpipe]

Okay, so when a person's life leaves them emotionally numb for a long period of time what do you do when you start to try to recover and feel things again? It's like wearing gloves for a decade then taking them off suddenly and trying to use your hands when the skin is still raw. How does a person handle this?

[The Cloud]

Originally Posted by paperorpipe

How does a person handle this?

There's no way to not handle it. It won't kill you and it won't disfigure you, and you'll go through it no matter what. There's nothing you can do to stop handling it, so there's not anything different for you to do at all.

[Greek Dog]

Be attentive and aware, noticing, "oh that is what this feels like, oh this is different". Think about attaching the feelings to experiences and noting how they feel.

[WisdomDome]

I can relate because I once suffered from the same issues. I'd block out what I didn't want to deal with and act like it never happened. As I grew older and my walls began to crumble, I became much more sensitive to a lot of things. Crying during movies, songs, and just crying because I was so happy about something.

You're going to have a lot of built up emotions that need to be released. Things that have happened that are in the back of your mind that will surface and need to be dealt with when they arise. If they don't arise on their own, try to force a few of them out. Think about things that have happened that you think you could expect an emotional response from, after you let a few out the rest will surface themselves. This isn't an overnight process - it takes time. You could see something that reminds you of something, or maybe you'll just randomly think of something sometime.

It's an amazing feeling to re-gain your emotions. Just let them flow through you and appreciate the unique beauty that each emotion offers. Love, laughter, sorrow and fear.

When any emotions comes forward, don't ignore it, let it out - whether it be an emotion that you stored or blocked away, or a new emotion. You probably have a lot to let out, and once you release everything you're going to feel extremely refreshed.

Congratulations on taking the courage and deciding to let your walls crumble. You won't regret it, whatever emotions may come forth, however much sorrow you may feel. I promise.