When highly sensitive people are uncomfortable, we automatically see it as a bad thing. Though nobody enjoys discomfort, the truth is that it can serve as an important wake-up call to alert us to changes that we need to make in our lives. We can learn a lot about ourselves if we take the time to investigate the source of our unrest.
Have you ever felt bad and not known why? Have you ever argued with, or hated someone for no good reason? Have you ever felt “road rage” towards other drivers? The main reason that these things happen is because you’re not plugged into your feelings. If you feel terrible or act irrationally toward someone, there is a reason for it. If you seek to understand and reflect upon the cause of your unrest, you can use it to your benefit rather than to your detriment.
I see unrest as falling into 2 categories…helpful unrest and destructive unrest. Helpful unrest causes you enough discomfort to make you want to do something constructive to rid yourself of your pain. Perhaps you have a medical issue that needs to be addressed. Your unrest will cause you to seek help. Destructive unrest, can come in the form of hardship or tragedy that is usually beyond your control. It may be the death of a loved one, or a situation where you made a mistake. Although this is very distressing…What action steps can you take to alleviate your pain?
If you discover that your distress is coming from factors that you can’t control, such as bad things happening in the news, take a step back and think about what this doing to you — both physically and emotionally. Do you really need to obsess about things that you have no control over? What does that accomplish? Does it help you? Does it make the situation any better?
If your angst is coming from not having the things you want in life, perhaps there’s something you can do to change things. What do you want? What needs aren’t being met? When you specifically know what is missing, you can formulate a plan of action to get what you want. If you think back to times in your life where you made major changes, you will probably find that the impetus was a “good, swift kick of unrest” that got you going.
Perhaps your unrest stems from obstacles that you have. Luckily, highly sensitive people can benefit from their excellent problem solving skills. You can use your abilities to think through challenges and come up with a plan of action. Although obstacles are frustrating, the upside is that they can bolster your courage and stamina, leaving you better equipped to face future problems. The lessons you learn from these experiences can provide clarity, meaning, and the confidence to seek a more interesting and productive life.
You have the power to decide whether your unrest works for or against you. You can use it to motivate yourself to take the actions that are necessary for your happiness, or you can let it paralyze you. If you decide to “profit” from your unrest, it can be the fuel that gets your motivational engine going and enables you to live a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Do you take the time to discover the root cause of your unhappiness? Do you let destructive unrest interfere with your ability to enjoy your own life? How can you use your unrest to make your life more fulfilling? I’m interested in any thoughts or comments that you have.
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