Sadness is a natural and essential human emotion. It's part of what makes us human, a signal that something within us needs attention. From a scientific perspective, sadness triggers certain responses in the brain, including the release of chemicals like cortisol, which can heighten our awareness of emotional pain. This state might seem uncomfortable, but it also opens the door to introspection and transformation.
Yet, sadness isn’t always explainable. There are days when we go to bed happy and content, only to wake up feeling heavy and teary without any clear reason. These spells can last a day, a week, or even longer. How do we navigate these moments? How do we create a shift?
This was me on Monday morning. I woke up with a deep sadness that was so overwhelming I felt like crying at the slightest whisper. I didn’t know why. Everything felt heavy, and all I wanted was to run away from it all. I wondered—was it the food I had eaten the day before? (I had made some unhealthy choices.) Was it something I had watched or read? Or was it something deeper, internal—a message from my inner guide?
Looking back, I realize it was likely the latter. This sadness was a gift in disguise, a powerful force stopping me in my tracks, urging me to pause, slow down, and refocus. And that’s exactly what I did.
Listening to the Guidance
When I sat with this emotion, I realized I needed to take a break from Instagram—a platform I love for sharing inspiration and life tips. The moment I decided to step away, a sense of clarity emerged. I felt the need to refill my cup, to nurture my soul.
Suddenly, I was drawn to read Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. Please don’t ask me why, but I couldn’t get it out of my head. I ordered the book, and it has been a fascinating and grounding experience.
I also decluttered my space, opening a Vinted account (username: Thread-Z—cheesy, I know!). I cleansed and organized my crystals, relabeling them with care. A few unlabelled ones formed a healing set, which felt serendipitous.
I tried Craniosacral therapy for the first time—a gentle yet profound healing experience that left me feeling lighter and aligned. I painted. I onboarded two new clients and prepared orders for my Healing Box of Rocks, a process that feels sacred, involving cleansing and charging each set with Reiki energy.
I even explored astrology more deeply, connecting with a group of fascinating people who share my interest in the significance of critical degrees. (As a 29-degree Gemini, this has been a particularly intriguing journey.)
Five Days Later
Now, just five days after that profound sadness, I’m here writing this blog post. It’s not just about sadness—it’s about intuition, honouring our feelings, and following the guidance they offer instead of resisting them.
When we embrace sadness and listen to its message, it can lead us to surprising and beautiful places. It’s not easy—sometimes, it feels counterintuitive to lean into the discomfort. But when we do, we create space for healing, creativity, and connection.
My Invitation to You
If you’re feeling sad, I invite you to:
1. Acknowledge your feelings. Instead of pushing them away, allow them to be.
2. Listen to the guidance. What is your sadness asking you to do? Is it urging you to rest, reflect, or create?
3. Follow what feels right. Even if it doesn’t make immediate sense, trust the process.
Sadness is often the soul’s way of realigning us with our path. When you honour it, you open the door to transformation. Let go of the need to make sense of everything—follow the breadcrumbs and see what unfolds.
What started as a week of tears for me turned into a week of rediscovery, creativity, and connection.
In all its heaviness, sadness guided me to places I didn’t know I needed to go.
And maybe, just maybe, it can do the same for you.
Kate x
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