That’s our natural instinct and I don’t mean from a mad axeman or axewoman, I mean from things that will be emotionally too hard to handle or our inner demons built up from a lifetime of running away.
Often we numb them with comfort eating or binge drinking or drugs or binge watching or social media or any other form of instant chemical gratification. Often we put a mask on and pretend it’s all OK. The ‘I’m tough and resilient’ kind of stiff upper lip bullshit that’s drummed into us all. Soldier on, even though internal you’re crying out for some true understanding and help.
We get angry or lash out and blame others. Rather than deal with what really makes us all angry, ourselves.
No matter how much we numb, no matter how thick the mask is or how far we run away or how deep we try to bury it, the only way is to turn and face the difficult emotions and demons naked of our shields and masks.
We have to be brave enough to be vulnerable, have the courage to dig deep into every story that hurts.
We have to be brave enough to face the pain and re-write the narratives in our own heads.
We have to be strong and resilient to be kind and loving to ourselves.
We have to build up the mental ‘muscles’, habits and true self-disciplines to make changes and stop the temptation of the ‘easier’ option of running.
It’s fucking tough, however, it gets better and better the braver we are prepared to be.
The alternative is never being you and never being at peace and never experiencing a fulfilled and joy filled life, as numbing kills the good and the bad emotions equally, it leaves us scared to fully enjoy the best as the demons are there.
Happiness is over used and overrated and short-term, but deep rooted joy and wholeheartedness and true self-love comes from facing the difficult emotions and demons and moving forward understanding them and adjusting them and removing them.
As ever a journey of learning and a work in progress for me but one that is already changing my life
Turn around and stop running.
Philip Dodson 