"I don't know how to stop!". My then nine-year-old child cried out helplessly as I ordered her to stop being angry. Her anguish cry hit me hard as it finally dawned on me she really did not know how to - no one taught her. I just assumed she knew when I told her to stop. I did not validate her feelings. How could I when I did not know how to and would often beat myself up when I had 'bad' emotions, even tried to suppress them.
When I became a coach, I was afraid to accept my first client. Inspired by a friendly cartoon monster, I asked myself, "What if fear is not a scary monster but a friendly monster like this cartoon? What is my friend Fear trying to tell me?" I realised it was trying to protect me from failing! It also gave me the gift of preparedness. I realised how befriending my feelings, even the negative ones worked for me. This approach has proven effective to help my clients move from being stuck to being liberated and empowered. After working with me for a year, my first client went from being unclear, unhappy, overworked and often at odds with his lecturers to be a happier, healthier and motivated youth who got onto the Dean's List at the university.
My keen interest and studies in Neuroscience and brain health helped me understand the connection between emotional / mental wellbeing and brain wellness - the impetus in us creating an evidence-backed resource.
The birth of my fourth child in 2020 was a catalyst to me creating a tool to help her, and I to connect with her and her emotions - thus, My Feelings 'R' My FriendsTM
I hope you too, will connect better and have fun with your child with these cards. Enjoy!
Psss! As it turned out, these cards not only prove to be invaluable in helping the little people to connect with their feelings, they are also effective in helping the big people to tune in to their own emotions and get the support they need to thrive, at work and at home.
