I Feel Off…Now What?

Photo by Raza Luz on Unsplash

I Feel Off…Now What? How to Practice Self-Compassion and Emotional Awareness

It’s tough when you’re in a place of discomfort. Sometimes it hits unexpectedly, and other times, it creeps up on you when you least expect it, when you’re feeling judged, anxious, sad, or just off. It can be so easy to ignore or push away those feelings, but what if you gave yourself permission to feel them instead?

The good news: It’s okay to not feel okay. We all go through moments of feeling off. But here's the thing —it’s about how we respond to those feelings. It’s not about being perfect; it's about showing yourself some self-compassion. If you end up doing just one step today, that's totally fine! But if you’re ready to give yourself some care, here’s what you can do:

Step 1: Ask Yourself, “What’s Happening?”

The first thing you can do is pause and ask yourself, "What’s happening for me right now?" Are you feeling sweaty, tense, teary, or light-headed? Take a moment to tune into your body.

This step is all about awareness. By paying attention to how your body feels in the present moment, you’re giving yourself a chance to check in and notice what’s going on physically. And that’s where emotional awareness starts: When we’re mindful of how we feel, we can begin to understand why we feel the way we do.

Step 2: Ask Yourself, “What Am I Feeling?”

Next, take a moment to check in with your emotions. Ask yourself, "What am I feeling right now?" Are you feeling anxious? Afraid? Lonely? Or maybe something else?

Be gentle with yourself. There’s no need to judge your emotions. The goal here is simply to name them and acknowledge them. By doing so, you create a space for emotional validation. You’re telling yourself, "Hey, it's okay to feel this way," which can be incredibly powerful for self-compassion.

Step 3: Ask Yourself, “What Do I Need Right Now?”

Now, let’s talk about what you need in this moment. What do you need right now to feel better or more grounded? Do you need to sit outside for a few minutes, drink some water, have a donut, take a walk, make guacamole, call a friend, or maybe just take a deep breath?

This step is not a distraction. It’s not about avoiding your feelings. Instead, it’s about giving yourself what you need in this moment. By doing this, you're connecting with your body and your needs in a compassionate way. You're saying, "I got your back."

And let's be real—sometimes this is hard. Giving ourselves what we need (whether it’s physical or emotional) can feel like a huge act of self-love. But when you do it, you’re building self-esteem and reinforcing the belief that you can take care of yourself. You’re creating that feeling of, "I’ve got this."

It’s Normal to Feel Off, and You’re Not Alone

Feeling off sometimes is completely normal. Everyone goes through moments of discomfort. But what’s important is learning how to respond to those moments with kindness and compassion, instead of getting stuck in self-judgment.

So, the next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or just "off," try interrupting that pattern by asking yourself, "What do I need right now to be okay?" It’s okay to step back and recognize that you’re in a transitional phase. It’s not permanent, and with the right care, you can move through it.

Ask yourself: “How can I give myself some extra love today?” It could be the first step to feeling a little bit better, a little bit more at peace, and a little more connected to yourself.

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