Finding Joy in the Hard

#154 What If Those Emotions Aren't Even Yours?


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Do you ever wake up feeling agitated, heavy, or triggered — and can't figure out why? In this episode, Suzanne shares what she discovered after waking up unsettled one morning: the culprit wasn't stress or worry. It was a TV series she'd been watching the night before.

What follows is an honest, relatable exploration of what it means to be someone whose nervous system absorbs the emotions of others — from fictional characters on screen to the people sitting right next to you.

In this episode, Suzanne covers:

  • Why some of us carry the emotional residue of what we watch long after the screen goes dark
  • The difference between being emotionally engaged and actually absorbing others' emotions
  • How this plays out in real life — including a story about her husband walking into the kitchen "revved up" and walking out calm while she was left reeling
  • Five things you can do when you realize the emotions you're feeling aren't yours
  • Why resisting those emotions makes them linger — and what to do instead

Key takeaway: Our ability to feel deeply is a gift. When we learn to work with it rather than against it, we can sense things others miss — and move through emotion rather than being stuck in it.

Mentioned in this episode:

  • Process What You Feel to Heal — Suzanne's monthly membership, diving deep into this topic this month. 
  • Reach out to me via Instagram to say hi, share a comment or ask a question. Click here.



The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any medical or psychological condition, nor to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any such conditions.

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Finding Joy in the HardBy Suzanne Andora Barron