Language matters. How we describe ourselves affects how we think of ourselves. If we say "I am sad", that starts to define us as a sad person. But if you say, "I feel sad" that helps you realize that the feeling is temporary. There is an important distinction between saying "I am" and "I feel". Saying "I am" is permanent and saying "I feel" is temporary. Saying "I feel" empowers you to take action. "I feel" helps you persevere and move forward and not become that feeling. Saying "I am" can do the opposite.

References and Resources:

Calm (a meditation app)

 Sitting Still like a Frog (a meditation book)

Today I Feel…  (a book on different feelings)

Siegel, D. & T. Bryson. (2011). The Whole-Brain Child. New York: Random House.