We often experience emotions as an iceberg. In the conscious mind, above the water, we consider our feelings — whether it’s anger, sadness, or joy. However, under the water lies the subconscious and unconscious minds. This is where we store painful memories and patterns of behavior that we have grown accustomed to experiencing. Due to the cumulative effect of where these events meet current circumstances, we begin to feel intense emotions.
Conscious Emotion
Conscious emotion is what you feel on the surface. You may feel your face turn red and your fists clench if you are angry. If you are sad, you may shed some tears or experience an intense headache. In moments of joy, you might want to skip out or exclaim your happiness to the world. No matter what the emotion is, it becomes a whole-body experience when we allow ourselves to see the process through.
Subconscious Experience
The subconscious is where the emotion forms — from an experience or set of experiences that are nestled in the subconscious or the conscious brain. These emotions lie beneath the surface and under our radar.
Unconscious Experience
Some memories are so painful we block them out, and they enter the unconscious sphere of the mind.
The iceberg analogy is a helpful one because it shows how emotions are rooted in experiences. To manage these complex emotions, we have to acknowledge where they originate. Unpacking this can be challenging work. At some level, we have to learn to practice radical acceptance of our emotions. Learning to let emotions be will take place over time.
At Valiant Living, we want to help you chip away at your iceberg of emotions. Our men’s only facility in Denver, Colorado, focuses on the treatment of addiction and co-occurring mental illnesses. Our expert staff is trained in helping you identify your emotions and work through them. We also believe in the practice of radical acceptance and will help you find comfort with your feelings. Whether you are struggling with addiction seeking recovery or concerned about relapse, we are here to support you emotionally and physically through the process. The process at Valiant Living includes detoxification, living arrangements, and support for intimate and familial relationships. We want to help you focus on yourself and develop into the person you want to become. To learn more about our services, you can reach us today at (303) 952-5035.
