mental	space?
•
	
As	you	write,	see	if	you	can	connect	with	a	feeling	of	compassion	for
yourself	and	for	what	you	have	endured	in	your	struggle.
STRATEGY:
	
INVITING	DIFFICULT	EMOTIONS
This	strategy	is	a	way	to	practice	giving	up	the	fight	against	your	emotions.
Instead	of	struggling	against	them,	you’re	actually	going	to	lean	in	to
whatever	emotions	you	might	be	experiencing—the	pleasant	and	the
unpleasant.	Try	to	actually	invite	anxiety	(and	other	unpleasant	feelings)	to
come	over	you.
1.
	
Sit	comfortably	in	a	quiet	location.	When	anxiety	appears,	instead	of
fighting	it	(“This	is	wrong,”	“Make	it	stop.”),	let	go	of	control	and	give
up	the	struggle.	Welcome	anxiety	in	with	open	arms:	“Yes,	I	see	you,
anxiety,	and	there’s	space	for	you	here	with	me.”	Meet	the	surges	of
unease	or	worry	with	warm	acceptance.	You	can	accept	your	feelings
even	though	they	cause	you	discomfort.
2.
	
You’re	not	attempting	to	change	the	feeling,	push	it	away,	or	keep	it
present.	You’re	aware	of	whatever	it	is,	
as	it	is
	
.	You’re	letting	go	of
control	in	favor	of	awareness.
3.
	
As	you	experience	the	anxiety,	ask	yourself,	“What	else	may	be	here?”