On Feeling Feelings 9.11.20

Dear Students, 

It’s not really the beginning of this module anymore, is it? A lot has been squeezed into these first days and weeks, and there’s a lot more to come. 

It can be hard to find the time to process all the academic work you’re doing: to take a breath, notice and maybe even feel proud that you finished that paper before you have to dive right back into the next thing. 

It can be harder still to find the time to process how you’re feeling about everything right now. In fact, you might prefer not to notice your feelings at all, because they might not be so pleasant. Staying busy helps with that, right? And emotions like sadness, loneliness, anxiety, anger and fear can threaten our sense of stability - yet are all natural, valid responses to the experience of being a college student during a pandemic.

(They’re also natural, valid responses to the experience of being human!)

But here’s the thing: your feelings are really important. They tell you the truth about what you want and need, how to stay safe, and what you need to feel better. Without your feelings, it’s hard to feel like the real you. 

And YOU are amazing! 

So consider making room for the sadness. That sadness is calling for your attention, letting you know that you need connection, support and care. That this is hard. Humans aren’t wired to go it alone.

Look for people you trust and feel safe with and let them know how you are thinking and feeling. So many of us can be really harsh critics of ourselves. Many of us have thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or just feel like we wish we could disappear for awhile. It is terrible to hold onto these thoughts and feelings alone, and no one has to. Talk to parents, friends, HAs, house deans, supportive adults, roommates, siblings. 

Talk to us. We are honored when you entrust your important feelings to us, and let us help you carry them, make sense of them, and find ways to feel better - together. 

Call the front desk of the student wellness center for an appointment with a counselor. And take good, good care of amazing, important, making-it-work-even-though-it’s-hard YOU.

Warmly, 

Lauren, Susan, Katharina, Meagan, Alexis, Kelly and Gene