Using intellectualization as a defense mechanism is meant to only be temporary.
Here’s how to process negative feelings in a healthy longterm way.
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Sometimes calling upon intellectualization is necessary to just get through your day.
Except, intellectualizing is meant to get you through a short challenging moment of time.
When youre constantlyover the course of months or beyondoverpowering losses with logic, what happens?
clinical psychologist, life fulfillment expert, and author ofDate Smart,Joy From Fear, andAging Joyfully
When I had to cancel, I went straight into intellectualization mode.
I was sad, but the world was crumbling around me.
Its a bummer, but I have a travel waiver.
But among a wave of other many stressors swirling, my mind diverted with logic to soften the blow.
Being overly intellectual so that cope can be helpful in avoiding feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and depression.
Also, people need compassion right now.
When intellectualizing, we may come across as cold and unemotional, Thompson says.
It may also be difficult to have a productive, authentic, and healing conversation with someone else.
To over-intellectualize our emotions is to rationalize and push them asideday-in, day-outnever to be felt in earnest.
clinical psychologist, life fulfillment expert, and author ofDate Smart,Joy From Fear, andAging Joyfully
Instead, by not allowing yourself to grieve, you carry the negativity and grievances with you.
What does this upset feel like?
How does this upsetting feeling show up in your bodywhat are the sensations of this feeling?
Is it tightness in your chest?
Is there a tear in your eye?
For example, maybe youre feeling crushed because your favorite restaurant is closing.
This exercise allows you to communicate with your full self, not just your keen-to-rationalize mind.
or Whats the worst, scariest, or most hurtful, or most maddening thing about this?
And then lean into it.
There was an immediate goal of needing to do my part to flatten the curve.
So now Im feeling my feelings.
Because in the meantime, no one needs the extra emotional baggage.
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