Difficult experiences, challenges and negative emotions are a part of our human experience.  And when we don’t know how to process what has happened, we remain stuck in the emotions and pain of our circumstances.  However, for many of us, dealing with our emotions or spending time learning how to move beyond the challenges we are facing, is something we put last on the list or altogether, avoid.

Not only can this cause us problems now, but we are also dragging those unresolved emotions and experiences into the future, as well.

So what do you do if you find yourself stuck, depressed or unable to move beyond what has happened in your life?  You take one small, simple step forward, one that is aligned with what you want to experience more of in your life.

Here are three ways to move beyond the challenges you are facing and instead, feel more at peace and in harmony with yourself and your life.

1. Identify what is happening

In the moment you find yourself upset or feeling stuck, identify what is truly going on. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and acknowledge what has happened, or what happened earlier that day or that month that you don’t feel good about or aren’t OK with.

Once you get clarity on what is truly happening or upsetting you and most importantly, learn new tools to move through what you’re experiencing, you will feel empowered and able to move forward in your life.

2. Take time to truly understand yourself and what’s going on

We often avoid dealing with our negative emotions or experiences because we don’t know how to embrace, express or release the emotions we are feeling.

Many of us simply weren’t taught how to embrace our emotions. However, this is a skill you can learn and there are simple and effective ways to move beyond whatever you may be experiencing.

By learning these tools, your emotions won’t have a hold on you and you will able to gain the wisdom each emotion is here to teach you. And then most importantly, you will be free to move beyond what’s happening and create what you truly desire in your life.

3. Honor yourself and what’s happening by connecting with your emotions

This week, give yourself an assignment to take 5 minutes a day to focus on you. As you do this, close your eyes and give yourself permission to connect with how you are feeling in that very moment. That is all you have to do. Just simply close your eyes and give yourself time to honor how you are feeling. And then give that feeling a voice. If that feeling could communicate with you, what would the voice of that emotion be? For example, if you are feeling guilt, the voice of that emotion might be: “I should’ve done something different” or “I let them down.” Or if you’re feeling angry, the voice of your anger may be: “I can’t take this anymore” or “something needs to change”.

You can practice giving a “voice to your emotions” with any emotion you are feeling. Simply stop in that moment and connect with what your emotion is trying to communicate to you.

By honoring and acknowledging how you truly feel, you are giving yourself the insight you need to understand specifically what is happening. And once you can identify this, gaining clarity on what to do is the next step. Simply ask yourself, “What do I truly need in this moment?” Maybe you need love, understanding, guidance or a big hug. By honoring what you truly need and giving yourself that gift, you will be one step closer to feeling the peace and comfort you desire.

The way to make powerful changes and regain connection with ourselves and others is to truly understand why we feel the way we do, and most importantly, learn to navigate through the pain, the difficult emotions and the challenges we are facing.

For more tools on how to be at peace with yourself and how to move beyond the limitations you may be feeling in your life, visit dianealtomare.com Or download Chapter One of Diane Altomare’s new bestselling book, Clarity. Diane is also on Facebook and will be speaking at a Free COA Clinic on October 9th from 2-4pm.