Emotional Hygiene

You probably would not skip showering for a week, work inthe garden and cook dinner without washing your hands, or voluntarily roll around in a dumpster and then wonder why you feel a little gross. So why do we sometimes do the emotional equivalent? In this episode, Michelle exploresemotional hygiene and the surprisingly powerful practice of simply stopping the things we already know make us feel bad. From saying yes when we desperately want to say no, to overworking, overgiving, overcaregiving, absorbing everyoneelse’s emotions, and repeatedly putting ourselves into situations that leave us feeling like Pig Pen walking around in a cloud of emotional dust, sometimes prevention really is the best medicine. A bubble bath, candle, favorite show,or night with friends cannot continually clean up what our choices keep creating. Sometimes the healthiest emotional hygiene practice is wonderfully simple: Stop it.Questions or comments? I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] the podcast? Help us reach more people by liking,commenting, following, subscribing, or sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these conversations too.Reflection QuestionsIf you put a Post it note on your bathroom mirror that said,“Don’t ______,” what would you put in the blank?What are you currently doing that regularly leaves youfeeling emotionally drained, stressed, resentful, or overwhelmed?Where are you saying yes because you are trying to managesomeone else’s emotions rather than honoring what you actually need?Where might you be overgiving, overworking, orovercaregiving in a way that leaves you with less energy for yourself and the people who truly need you?What is one thing you could stop doing today that would helpthe world get a healthier, more peaceful, and more fully present version of you?