Feelings must and will be felt.

How do I know if I am coping well or if I am stuffing down, plowing through, numbing, medicating, avoiding, escaping, or doing anything possible to not feel my feelings?

Do you feel rested, restored, and refilled after? Or do you feel even more of that feeling you were trying to avoid or maybe even feeling nothing, and not in a good way?

Did it bring you into authentic connection with yourself, God, your higher power, or your favorite people? Or do you feel even more alone and isolated?

Was it aligned with your values? Or did it bring you outside of your values?

You can’t run from this, no matter how hard you try. Feelings must and will be felt. It’s whether or not you do it healthy and aware or unhealthy and unaware (which will leave a ton of hurt).

Oh, and remember to do all of the above, whether healthy coping or the avoiding, with lots of grace and love.