Life has its ups and downs—and sometimes the downs sneak up on us over a cup of spilled vinegar or an unexpected comment at a bridal shower. In this heartfelt episode of Midlife with Brooke, Brooke Oniki walks us through how to navigate emotional dips with self-compassion, spiritual grounding, and practical tools.

Instead of numbing out with cookies, social media, or frustration, Brooke offers a better path: feel your feelings, without abandoning yourself. Learn how to ride the waves of emotion while keeping your peace and your purpose intact.

You’ll learn:

• The 4 common ways we respond to hard emotions: react, resist, avoid, or allow
• A step-by-step method for processing emotions: Acknowledge, Validate, Breathe, and Allow
• What “emotional dips” look like in everyday life—and how to stop making them worse
• Real-life examples from Brooke’s coaching and personal life, including when things go wrong during events, parenting, or even making dinner
• Why processing emotions leads to better relationships, more patience, and fewer regretful reactions

Whether you’re prone to shutting down, snapping at loved ones, or numbing with distractions, this episode will help you create space for healing and growth—one breath at a time.

Try This Practice:

The next time you feel shame, anger, sadness, or overwhelm rising up, pause and try the AVBA method:

1. Acknowledge – What are you feeling?
2. Validate – “It makes sense that I feel this way.”
3. Breathe – Slow it down; ground yourself.
4. Allow – Give it space without needing to fix it.

Remember:

Your emotions don’t make you weak. They make you human. God is in your corner—and you can be, too.

Want more support like this?

Join Brooke’s newsletter or explore coaching at www.brookeonikii.com