Sunday Chronicles: Emotional Hangovers

Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles: Emotional Hangovers

Maybe you’re familiar with a certain kind of hangover? The one that comes from indulging a bit too much the night before? We all have a story about those kind, and most of us have a remedy (coconut water, a great spin class, and a burger); but those (thankfully) don’t last too long (warning: as you age, they can). Lately, another kind of hangover has been on my mind, the emotional kind. You know, where something “big” (good or bad) happens, and that emotion takes a while to get over. I’ve been thinking about them, and wondering: what’s our remedy for those?

Side note: I’m a big fan of being honest with where you are, I’m a big fan of taking your time through things, and I’m a big fan of therapy. I think that some things just take time and that there is absolutely no shame in that. If you’re going through something I think you have to be honest with yourself and those in your life; and that if you need a professional (even if it’s just to talk to) that is amazing!

What I’m interested in, and what I don’t always know how to deal with is when a big emotion just seems to linger. For me, this can happen a lot with trips. If I have a great vacation, or time in between all my cities, letting go of that experience can take a while. I can spend the next few weeks feeling low. In those instances planning fun nights out with friends, my next vacation, or having a “treat” can help. With big life events -break-ups, engagements, job changes, loss, gains–the emotional hangovers can last, and sometimes aren’t “cured” with fun plans.

Much like a “regular” hangover, you can at times see an emotional hangover coming, so I wonder: are there preparations you can take? Is there a way to brace for them like you do a physical one? In general, I think drinking a lot of water can help, but as I get older I’m not sure that there’s a way to prevent, or shorten an emotional hangover. Or, if there is, I think it might involve not feeling so much; something I’m not great at, and something that might dampen your enjoyment the first time. So what do we do?

I don’t know that I have the answers. Yes, this is one of those uncomfortable Sunday Chronicles when I have no answers, just a thing I’ve been thinking about that I’ve brought into our community. I think the way out of an emotional hangover may just be to let yourself feel whatever it is that your feeling, that if you can lean into the suck of that, that you can find a way through. Coconut water seems like an easier way!

I’d love to know: how do you deal with emotional hangovers? Do you have a rememdy?

Wishing us all a week of free emotion and amazing shoes! XO RA

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RachelAdelicia

Actress, avid shopper, and a lover of fashion. Hoping to make the world a better place one pair of shoes at a time.