The Power Of Scheduled Sadness

Have you ever thought to set some time aside for yourself just to feel? Life can be cruel, regardless of personal circumstances, and it’s important we learn to process our emotions in order to maintain a healthy mental state. 

We have a concept for you: scheduled sadness. 

Scheduled sadness, otherwise known as "planned emotional processing", refers to a deliberate practice of setting aside specific times to explore and process different emotions. While it may sound counterintuitive to schedule these moments rather than letting it out when you feel like it, it can actually be a valuable tool for emotional healing and promoting resilience!

One of the primary benefits of scheduled sadness is that it provides a structured framework for emotional expression and release. Just like having a daily routine, it offers a sense of predictability and control! Rather than allowing unresolved emotions to fester and grow, you’re able to create a safe space to acknowledge and explore your feelings in a healthy and constructive way. 

By actively engaging with your emotions and confronting these difficult feelings head-on, you can build confidence in your ability to navigate life’s challenging situations and emerge stronger and more resilient!

Incorporating scheduled sadness in your life is pretty simple. All you need to do is allocate some time to spend time with yourself and get in touch with your emotions. It’s up to you how frequently you want to incorporate this into your routine. It could be a couple of times a week, weekly or whatever you think you can handle. It can be from 15 minutes up to an hour. It’s important to note it’s healthy to express your emotions but try not to dwell on your negative thoughts.

Here’s a little guide on how it’s typically structured:

1. Setting A Time & Place: Choose a designated time and place for your scheduled sadness session. You’re likely going to want to do this from home! And it’s essential to pick a time when you can focus without distractions and won’t be interrupted.
2. Acknowledging Emotions: You start your scheduled sadness by acknowledging and accepting your emotions. If you’ve had an especially tough week, think about why that was, what made you feel the way you're feeling and accept that your feelings are valid.
3. Expressing Emotions: Let it out in whatever way feels natural to you! It doesn’t have to be with tears, you could journal or draw your feelings, or simply sit quiet with your thoughts. We do recommend crying if you feel the need to! 
4. Exploring Thoughts & Feelings: Explore any underlying triggers that may have made you feel this way, and how they relate to your life circumstances, relationships, or past experiences. 
5. Ending The Session: After your scheduled sadness session, take a moment to reflect on your experience. Ask yourself, do you feel better? Do you feel worse? Consider how the session can support your emotional wellbeing moving forward.

These sessions are a form of self-care, you’re practicing mindfulness by getting in touch with your innermost thoughts. Frequently engaging in scheduled sadness will bring you greater self-awareness and promote a happier, healthier you.