EP 0094 - Sitting With Uncomfortable Feelings

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EP 0094 – Sitting With Uncomfortable Feelings

In this episode of “It’s Not You, It’s Your Trauma,” Joe Ryan explores the profound connection between trauma, fear, and connection. He emphasizes that many of us avoid uncomfortable feelings—whether through busyness, substances, or distraction—because we’re afraid of our body’s reactions and the pain they bring.

Joe highlights that our deep desire for connection often clashes with our fear of intimacy, especially if we’ve experienced childhood neglect or abuse. This disconnect from ourselves manifests as anxiety, panic, shame, and emotional numbness. To heal, he advocates for getting comfortable with discomfort by intentionally sitting with our feelings, particularly in quiet, safe environments. This exposure helps tame the “beast” of unresolved trauma.

He stresses that addiction is often a misguided attempt to numb these feelings, but ultimately, every addiction fails and worsens emotional suffering. Instead, Ryan encourages reconnecting with the “inner child”—the vulnerable part of ourselves that was silenced or abandoned in childhood—and integrating these suppressed emotions into our adult consciousness.

The process involves recognizing that feelings are energy in motion that need to be felt and released. Avoidance only deepens the pain and shrinks our world. Through mindful presence, breathing into discomfort, and allowing ourselves to feel, we can begin to heal and reclaim emotional freedom. Ryan assures that while this work can be challenging, it is essential for long-term well-being and authenticity.