Yes, I have my moments. Times when I’m upset or worried or anxious or afraid. Do you have moments like this too?
Lately I’ve been experimenting a bit with The Sedona Method. The book’s been on my shelf for years but I’ve not read much of it.
The Sedona Method is a simple technique for releasing unwanted emotional states. So simple you wouldn’t think it would work. But I think maybe it does. At least some of the time. Who knows, maybe even much of the time.
Want to try experimenting with it yourself? Here are 4 steps to get started.
1) Focus on an issue you’d like to feel better about. Let yourself feel what you are feeling. Become aware of how you feel in this moment.
2) Ask yourself one of these three questions:
Could I let this feeling go?
Could I allow this feeling to be here?
Could I welcome this feeling?
Either yes or no is fine. Don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the question, just answer it.
3) No matter which question you asked yourself in step 2 or how you answered it, ask yourself:
Would I?
You’re asking yourself if you are willing to let go. Again, don’t overthink your answer. If you’re not sure or if your answer is no, ask “Would I rather have this feeling or be free?”
Even if your answer is no, go to the next step.
4) Ask yourself:
When?
You may decide to let it go now. Or not. Either way is fine.
5) Repeat each of the 4 steps until you feel free of or better about the feeling.
The results may be subtle or noticeable. And each step towards letting go of unwanted feelings takes you closer to freedom.
Have you tried this? Click on Comments and let us know how it works for you.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Bonnie,
I’ve heard of the Sedona Method for years but have never taken a close look at it. However, oddly enough, just last weekend I experienced doing something like that to overcome a negative feeling I started experiencing.
A series of little things over a short period of time surrounding a family/social time and after the event, my mind went down a negative path…How easy it is to interpret someone’s nuances, glances, comments, etc and roll it into a big deal… Suddenly a bad feeling about more than just this one event.
I was so conscious of this negative swirl of thoughts, that I had presence of mind to consciously ask myself if I was going to ruin the rest of the weekend for (mainly myself) us or would I pull myself in and make a decision to reverse this and stop it right now!
I did just that! One of my main thoughts was ‘Am I going to ruin my weekend mood, when the other person (people) probably had no clue that there was anything to feel bad about’?
I literally turned my thinking around ’180′ and felt really good about the accomplishment.
Your information will be helpful for so many people, and a reminder for me to ‘repeat’ this again.
Thanks.
Jacquie Harkema
Sixty Something Now
Hi, Jacquie! Oh, it is so easy to drown in the negative thought swirl, isn’t it? Good for you for pulling your self out of it!!! That is, indeed, an accomplishment to be proud of.
I learned this technique many years ago quite by chance. I had so trained myself to stuff and avoid feelings associated with past hurt and trauma that I realized the only way it would go away and stop tormenting me was to face it.
I learned that if I just stood still for a moment and embraced those feelings, I could talk myself into a better perspective about the trauma associated with it. Sometimes I will breath deep while I’m thinking about the feelings and then exhale slowly. I then visualize the feelings and the anxiety draining from my mind.
It has done so much for me to battle depression and anxiety. It’s amazing how much power we have to free ourselves from thoughts, feelings and emotions that can just run our lives against our will.
I’m now teaching my kids to do the same.
Hi, Magnolia! Thks for sharing your experience with this. I’m glad you’ve found ways to free yourself that really work for you. And how marvelous you’re teaching this to your kids! If only we’d learned this as children . . .