Emotional Self-Care 101: Why Emotions Matter + How to Lighten the Load 💭✨

May 21

In today’s episode of The SELF CARE Sisterhood, we’re diving into something that often gets overlooked in our busy, give-it-all-to-everyone lives: our emotions.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of why you're feeling what you're feeling, this episode is for you. We're breaking down why emotions matter, how to actually listen to them (instead of stuffing them down), and I’m sharing my BAG Framework to help you manage what you’re carrying—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

This is your permission slip to slow down, check in with yourself, and let go of what’s weighing you down.

IN THIS POST YOU’LL LEARN:

Why emotional awareness is essential to real self-care
What emotions are trying to tell us (and why we often ignore them)
How to use the BAG Framework to identify and release what you're carrying
Practical ways to feel more grounded and emotionally free in your daily life

Let’s stop powering through and start tuning in—because taking care of your emotions is taking care of yourself.

LET’S DIVE IN 🖤

Hello Hello, Sisterhood! Welcome back to another episode of The SELF CARE Sisterhood. I’m super pumped to dive into today’s conversation BUT before we do that—I have to let you know something exciting:

We’re officially gearing up for the 2025 Sisterhood Retreat. Ya’ll. I can’t even. If you’re newer around here and not quite in the loop let me catch you up—

The Sisterhood Retreat is is a 3-day boutique style retreat— designed to help you pause and reflect on where you’ve been, reignite your vision for where you’re going, and leave ready to rise up into the next chapter of your life with clarity and confidence. I design this space to be very intimate— so we’re talking a small group of like-hearted women who deeply desire to live a focused and intentional life. It’s gonna feel like the girls weekend you never knew existed. You’ll step away from the noise + pull of your everyday life to reconnect with yourself—mind, body, and spirit. You can expect calming practices (like breathwork, yoga, and ocean side journaling), deep conversations, and transformative workshops— ya’ll— can you already feel the stress leaving your body?!

I don’t play with these retreats. They truly are my fave type of work we do in this space bc I get to personalize + curate the entire experience from start to finish to help you reset, get clear on your vision, and leave with goals that actually matter to you. It’s cozy, it’s intentional, and we are doing a deep dive into the exact framework I’m teaching you today. If you’ve been craving clarity, momentum, and real support—this is for you. DM me “I’m interested” or head to the show notes to fill out the application and I’ll be in touch.

Okay, let's jump into today's topic—Emotional Self-Care and how you can start ditching emotional baggage for good using the BAG Framework. This is exactly the kind of work we’re diving into in The Sisterhood Membership and will be going even deeper into at the retreat, so let’s get started.

The Purpose of Emotions

Before we dive into the BAG Framework, I want to start with something we don’t talk about nearly enough when it comes to self-care—and that’s our emotions. Emotional self care is a thing and it’s how we

Now, most of us were never really taught what to do with emotions, right? We were either told to toughen up, keep it moving, or not make things a big deal. So naturally, we learn to push things down, slap on a smile, and carry on.

But here’s the truth: emotions have a purpose. They’re not random, and they’re not something to ignore or stuff away.

Emotions are messengers. They’re signals from within, showing up to tell us something about our needs, our limits, our desires, or even what’s happening around us. They help us connect to ourselves and to the people we love. They’re actually how we show empathy, how we build trust, and how we make sense of the world.

Think about it—

Anger? That might be letting you know a boundary has been crossed.
Sadness? It’s likely showing you something important that needs to be grieved or released.
Fear? It’s your body’s way of saying, Hey, slow down. Stay alert.
And joy? Joy reminds you that you’re experiencing something beautiful and life-giving.

Emotions aren’t weakness—they’re wisdom. They are powerful, built-in guideposts that help us live in alignment with who we really are.

And the more we learn to listen to them rather than stuff them down or shame ourselves for feeling them, the more emotionally well we become.

CONNECTING WITH OTHERS THROUGH EMOTIONS

But here’s the thing: emotions don’t just tell us about ourselves—they also tell us about those around us. This is one of the most beautiful things about emotions. They are one of the main ways we connect as humans.

Let me give you a real-life example—

I’m sure we can all relate to this, but I had a moment not too long ago with a friend where I felt like she was being super distant. Her usual energy wasn’t there, and our conversations felt kind of... off.

And of course, because I’m human, I started spiraling.
Was it something I said?
Did I do something wrong?
Is she mad at me?

You know the rabbit hole. We all go there.

I made it all about me at first, instead of pausing to consider what she might be carrying. But after sitting in that discomfort for a day or two, I decided to reach out. I sent her a simple message: “Hey, is everything okay? You’ve felt a little quiet lately.”

And her response stopped me in my tracks. She said, “Honestly, I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed and kind of low. I didn’t want to bring anyone down, so I’ve just been keeping to myself.”

Whew.
It had nothing to do with me.

But if I hadn’t checked in—both with myself and with her—I could’ve kept spiraling and carrying emotional weight that wasn’t even mine.

This is why it matters to understand our own emotions: because when we do, we can slow down enough to see other people in theirs.
Instead of reacting, we can respond.
Instead of assuming, we can ask.
Instead of pulling away, we can lean in.

Emotions act like little bridges between us. They help us build empathy, compassion, and deeper connection. When someone we love is distant or upset, their emotional experience is often an invitation—a chance for us to tune in and show up with curiosity and care.

That’s how we create relationships rooted in emotional safety.
That’s how we show up for others and ourselves in a way that actually honors what’s real.

Emotions Matter + How We Manage Them

Let’s just name it—emotions often don’t get the credit they deserve.

We live in a world that rewards doing over feeling.
“Be productive.”
“Stay strong.”
“Push through.”

And while resilience is a good thing, what gets left behind in that mindset is emotional honesty.

We’re often taught—directly or indirectly—that emotions are inconvenient or dramatic. That feeling deeply is a weakness. That if something feels heavy, we just need to distract ourselves, numb out, or tell ourselves to "get over it already."

But here’s what I want you to hear loud and clear:
Emotions are not the problem. Avoiding them is.

When we ignore our emotions, they don’t disappear—they just go underground. They come out sideways in our relationships, our decisions, our inner dialogue. Sometimes they build up until we explode... or implode.

How we manage our emotions matters. Not control. Not suppress. Manage.

When we push our emotions aside, we risk reacting instead of responding. We fall into patterns that keep us stuck—like snapping at the people we love, shutting down when we feel overwhelmed, or overcommitting to stay distracted.

But when we make space for our emotions—when we slow down and ask, “What is this feeling trying to tell me?”—we gain clarity. We stop being driven by our emotions, and we start being informed by them.

Because emotions aren’t just thoughts or feelings floating around in our heads—they’re energy. And if that energy doesn’t move? It stays.

It gets stored in the body.

That knot in your stomach…
The tension in your shoulders…
The lump in your throat you can’t explain...

That’s not random. That’s your body holding onto something you haven’t had time—or felt safe enough—to process.

And this is why how we manage our emotions matters so much. When we ignore them, we don’t just lose access to their wisdom—we carry them. And over time, that emotional weight adds up.

This is where emotional awareness becomes a form of self-care. A way to listen to our bodies. A way to move that energy through, so we don’t have to keep holding it in.

The BAG Framework: Ditching Emotional Baggage

Alright, let’s get into the heart of today’s episode—what I call the BAG Framework.
Now listen, I came up with this name for a reason.

Because emotional baggage?
We all carry it.
And just like a literal bag, if we’re not careful, we’ll keep lugging it around way past its limit. We’ll overstuff it, throw it over our shoulder, and keep going—ignoring how heavy it’s gotten until we’re exhausted, resentful, or snapping at someone over something small.

But here's the truth: you weren’t meant to carry it all forever.

At some point, we have to stop and ask, “What am I still holding onto that no longer serves me?”

That’s where this framework comes in.

Here’s how it works:

B – Baggage You’re Carrying
Start by getting honest: What’s weighing you down right now?
Is it something someone said? A regret you’re replaying? A boundary you’ve been too afraid to set?
Naming the emotional load is the first step toward setting it down.

A – Action You Need to Take
Once you’ve named the baggage, ask yourself: What do I need in order to move through this?
Do I need to have a conversation? Do some journaling? Forgive someone—or maybe forgive myself?
This is where you reclaim your power. The action doesn’t have to be dramatic—but it does have to be honest.

G – Go (Let It GO)
And finally, let it go.
Yes, for real.
This might be a prayer of surrender, a symbolic act like ripping up a note, a release through breathwork or movement—whatever feels meaningful to you.
The point is: you’re creating closure. You’re honoring the emotion and choosing to no longer carry what isn’t yours to keep.

This framework isn’t about pretending things don’t hurt. It’s about honoring your emotional experience and taking care of yourself enough to not let it take over your life.

This is emotional self-care.

And this—this—is the kind of work we do inside The Sisterhood Membership. We unpack this kind of stuff together, in a safe, sacred space where you get the tools, support, and community to actually lighten your emotional load. And at The Sisterhood Retreat? Oh friend, we go even deeper. That’s where we leave the heavy stuff behind and walk out lighter—together.

Applying the BAG Framework in Everyday Life

So what does this actually look like in real life? I’m glad you asked. Let me give you a few everyday scenarios where the BAG framework can be a total game changer:

Example 1: The Unexpected Text That Ruins Your Mood
Let’s say someone texts you something passive-aggressive and it throws off your whole vibe. You start replaying it in your head, wondering what you did wrong.

B: The baggage is the emotional reaction—maybe hurt, anger, confusion.
A: The action might be journaling to get your thoughts out before responding. Or deciding not to engage at all and instead setting a mental boundary.
G: Let it go by deleting the message or speaking a truth over yourself like, “I release what isn’t mine to carry.”

Example 2: Snapping at Your Kids or Partner After a Long Day
You’re tired, overwhelmed, and suddenly you’re irritated at something small. Then you feel guilty.

B: The baggage could be the pressure you’ve been under or the unmet need for rest or space.
A: The action could be carving out 10 minutes alone, naming what you actually need (not just what you’re reacting to).
G: Let it go by offering yourself compassion and maybe saying a prayer like, “God, I give you this tension. Help me reset.”

Example 3: Comparing Yourself Online
You scroll social media and suddenly feel behind, less than, or not enough.

B: That emotional weight of comparison and self-doubt.
A: The action could be muting certain accounts, closing the app, or affirming what you value and are working toward.
G: Let it go by stepping outside, shaking it off, or saying, “Their lane is theirs. I trust my own pace.”

It doesn’t have to be this big dramatic moment. It’s about catching the small things before they pile up and weigh you down. This is how we protect our peace. This is how we show up lighter, clearer, and more emotionally available for what really matters.

So friend, if you take nothing else from today’s episode, let it be this: your emotions are not the enemy—they're a built-in guidance system. When we slow down to actually feel what we’re feeling, name what’s weighing us down, and take small but honest steps to release it, we start to live lighter, freer, and more in alignment with who God created us to be. The BAG Framework isn’t about fixing yourself—it’s about freeing yourself. Emotional self-care is sacred work, and it matters just as much as the physical or spiritual kind. So take a moment today to check in with your heart. What are you carrying that you don’t need to hold anymore? You don’t have to do this alone—this is exactly why The Sisterhood exists. We’re walking this journey together. Until next time, give yourself permission to feel, to heal, and to let go. You’re doing better than you give yourself credit for.

We’re in this together, okay— I’ll see you next week right here on The Self Care Sisterhood Podcast. 🖤

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