‍Emotional expression is the acknowledgement and sharing of your emotions. Whether we are angry, sad, fearful, disgusted, surprised or joyful, it is healthy to express these emotions instead of keeping them locked up inside. Everybody feels differently, and it is essential to remember that every emotion felt is valid.We don't necessarily get to choose how we feel our feelings, but we can decide how to express them. So, this article will help you to express your feelings in the most beneficial way possible.

Why express your personal feelings and opinions?

Expressing your feelings benefits you in a multitude of ways. Firstly, it helps you to improve your relationships with other people. You will also feel more confident, get support when you need it most, and can protect your mental health and wellbeing. If you outwardly ignore your feelings, your loved ones may think that you are avoiding them, damaging your relationship and ultimately hurting yourself. But if you express your feelings, those you care about are in a better position to grasp your opinions and emotions to support you better.On the other hand, emotional neglect in a romantic relationship could signify that one or both members are unhappy. Speaking with your partner about how you feel proves that you care about this distance and want to rectify it.Expressing your opinions can help you to learn and grow better. If someone agrees with your views, you will feel a sense of happiness and inclusion. However, your feelings do not always need to be validated. They're always valid because they represent how you feel about something.It's also important to remember that there are times when you may choose to keep your feelings and thoughts to yourself. For example, unless asked, your authentic response to someone else's experience may not always be welcome. But expressing your concern can show that you care and want to help, as long as they are happy for you to do so.

Expressing feelings can help you to feel better about yourself.

The more you talk about your feelings, the easier it will become. Expressing positive emotions may make you feel safe enough to delve into other thoughts and feelings. Of course, some areas are more challenging than others. But with the help of therapy, or if you have someone to talk to at home, you will eventually begin to overcome these challenges.Once you have alleviated these pent-up emotions, I guarantee you'll feel relieved and calm. Not to mention pride in your willingness to open up in the first place. But, on the other hand, if you choose to hold in your emotions, they can plague you in the long run, which is never healthy for your mind.

How to express your personal feelings and opinions.

Do you want to express your personal feelings and opinions better but need to figure out how? The following tips should get you started.

Become a better listener.

If you know how to actively listen (noticing people’s verbal and non-verbal responses), you'll soon find that those you're listening to will want to hear back, offering that judgemental-free environment to express your own emotions.However, if you interject, you won't learn and understand what they are saying and, therefore, will be unable to express your thoughts and feelings in return. Being a good listener is a complex skill to master. But if you practise the power of listening in conversations with those around you, you will soon begin to express yourself more confidently and passionately.

Learn how to practise empathy.

If empathy is an unfamiliar emotion, you could start by understanding someone's point of view as to why they may be sad, for instance. Then by understanding how your own sadness affected you, albeit, in a different way, you will begin to resonate with them more genuinely. Finally, practising empathy will help create a bond that enables you to connect emotionally with others.However, it's best to practise empathy with new people around you instead of testing it with your close friends and relatives. It is often effective initially if you don't have a bond with them.

Be conscious of what you have.

Everyone struggles in life, whether it's short-term or long-term. However, there are things in life to take joy too. For example, you may be thankful for your family or friends. You may even appreciate your good health, education, pets, music or the job that you currently have. Whatever it may be, capitalising on these is vital instead of dwelling on what you don't have. By appreciating what you have, you will better express pleasure and celebrate things that matter most.

Savour all the good moments.

Lastly, try not to rush a good thing. It's best to savour the good moments as you won't get them back, or at least not in the same way. Happiness is an emotion that we all deserve. Happy people tend to live longer, more fulfilling lives and draw in other happy people, creating a positive space. So, whatever the small win is, celebrate it and be in no rush. You'll soon realise it's easy to express such an emotion.By expressing your personal feelings and opinions through these helpful techniques, you will reap the rewards of healthy emotional expression. As a person-centred counsellor based in Warrington, Cheshire, I have a wealth of experience in helping all my clients find the right solutions for them - whether that involves emotional expression or not. So if you want to learn more about how I work - or if you want to book a session - please visit my website and let's get you on the road to recovery.