Press 0 For Emotionally Available

Happy Monday, folks!

It seems that we are just days away from Thanksgiving and Christmas…and yes, the Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has begun.

But like, is all I want for Christmas you?

If you means ice cream, then the answer is definitely yes.

Anyhoo, welcome to post number 239.

Also, the washing machine currently is spinning out of control and it sounds like a railroad train going 100mph.

But, I digress.

A few weeks ago, my amazing fitness coach Ryan asked me what it meant to be emotionally available.

It was a question I couldn’t answer on the spot, but one that I felt excited to delve into, think about, and reflect on with written words.

And so here we are.

My first thought?

Yes, I am in fact emotionally available for that tub of ice cream hiding in the freezer that is calling my name to eat directly from the carton with the largest spoon possible.

And you better believe that I am emotionally available for all of the rom coms that tug at my heart with “you’re better than him” and “he’s just not that into you” storylines that make me laugh, cry, sob, drink, eat, and just about every other motion in the book as I sit, and watch cuddled in a blanket from the comfort of the couch.

All kidding aside.

Well, actually…stay with me.

Maybe being emotionally available means eating the other scoop of ice cream, having the other piece of cake, and crying uncontrollably at the rom com you’ve watched 1000 times.

The more I think about it, the more I believe that emotionally available is all of these things.

Being emotionally available means knowing how your soul feels and knowing how to process that.

Being emotionally available means knowing how to be 100% honest with your friends, those around you, the world…but most importantly yourself.

If you can’t be emotionally available for yourself in processing emotions, feelings, and whatever life throws at you, then you certainly aren’t going to succeed in being emotionally there and available for someone else.

Being emotionally available means that you can say with confidence “I feel like shit, so I’m going to eat ice cream” or “The news really depressed me today so I’m going to have a drink to relax.”

Being emotionally available means being able to do the above in a way that is healthy and not overkill.

Being emotionally available means knowing how to process all the emotions, knowing what triggers you, and being able to communicate those feelings to others.

Being emotionally available means showing empathy, providing support, and discussing feelings in an open and honest way…and knowing if a boundary has to be set.

When I strip away all the shit, being emotionally available simply means loving yourself 150%.

It means knowing when you need a boundary, setting that boundary, and sticking to it.

It means loving your body.

It means loving your soul.

It means loving your life.

It means being secure in who you are and what you were put on this earth to do.

It means having the other scoop of ice cream.

It means jamming out to your favorite song when no one is watching.

It means walking around your home naked with a confidence that is sexy.

Be present with yourself.

Be present with others.

Be present with the world.

And know when you need the time away from being present to give yourself the recharge of filling up the cup.

I think being emotionally available means a lot of different things, but when you get down to it, I simply think it means giving yourself that extra cup of self-love.

The extra cup of self-love that allows you to press 0 for being emotionally available for yourself.

Because if you can’t do it for yourself, you certainly won’t be able to do it for anyone else.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!