How to Talk About Your Feelings

Problems and worries can be hard to get to grips with when they’re just going round inside of our heads. It is always important to try and talk about how we are feeling. 

What’s the point in talking?

If we just bottle our problems and feelings up inside, we can quickly feel trapped and lonely.

Putting our feelings into words helps us understand them and ourselves better.

Why? Because putting things into words forces us to take a proper look at them and to get them into some kind of order.

Who should I talk to?

Talking to people we know is a good first step.

If you can’t talk to your friends in person you should make time to chat virtually.

Talking to family and friends about how we feel helps them understand us better too.

What if I can’t to talk to someone I know?

Maybe you’re embarrassed? Maybe you don’t think anyone will take you seriously? Maybe you’re worried about people around you finding out about something?

Whatever your reasons, it’s still important to talk about your problems and feelings.

If you don’t want to talk to someone you know, you could call Childline on 0800 1111.

What if I don’t want to talk?

Writing about problems and how we feel also helps get things clear in our minds. Sometimes this is enough to shrink worries down to size.

You could try writing:

  • A letter to yourself about what’s happening
  • A private blog
  • A song
  • A poem

If you prefer writing to talking but still would like to share your thoughts with someone else, get you can get in touch with Childline by email.

Smoking, drinking and taking drugs aren’t good ways to try and forget about your feelings – it often makes you feel much worse. Find out how smoking impacts you, how alcohol impacts you and how drugs impact you.

If you find you’re regularly using these vices to get away from everything- find out where you can get help.

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