Have you ever considered that your emotions could be your greatest strength? What if they were the key to unlocking a deeper level of resilience and self-regulation?

It might sound far-fetched at first, but as you’ve journeyed through this blog series, perhaps you’ve become more open to the idea of the extraordinary and the unimaginable.

Emotions hold so much power. They’re strong, which makes sense. They’re a part of you, and you are one strong, powerful, radiant soul.

Yet, managing them can feel daunting; to say the least.

As the saying goes, “with great power comes great responsibility.” But imagine if that responsibility was a rewarding choice. What if it was playful, communicative, and light-hearted?

Those of us with BPD know firsthand how powerful emotions can be. It can feel like we don’t always have a choice or control over our thoughts and feelings. It’s as if these big emotions get so loud, it makes it hard for us to hear our own thoughts, our authentic thoughts. It makes sense, as we aren’t really taught in the world how to process or navigate our emotions, let alone differentiate our thoughts from theirs.

During my journey with self-harm, this lack of control over my emotions was a significant struggle. The intensity of emotions like anger would consume me. The feeling of chaos, distortion, the heat that would rise to my face and hands, the shaking that would come as if my emotions were banging on the walls of my body in protest. Emotions are powerful, and they can truly be incredible catalysts for change and deep radical self-acceptance when we can tap into our superpower!

But…how?

For myself and for many I’ve worked with, personifying our emotions was extremely transformative. Being able to personify them, to separate them from ourselves, is a space where magic happens! Whether it was imagining them in a top hat, writing to them, or talking to them, the action and remembrance that we are not our emotions was a huge shift in choice and control around my emotions.

I struggled with anger…I mean struggled. The way my whole body would viscerally respond with shaking, holding my breath, tensing my body. It’s as if anger would take over my mind and my body.

Learning how to open dialogue and personify our emotions is a powerful and life-changing tool for navigating the intensity of my emotions, even anger. For example, if my anger were to come to life, it would love eating spicy food and like to listen to really heavy bass metal music. Not that I like it, but if my anger came to life, that’s what it would eat and listen to. Being able to recognize the differences between my thoughts and preferences from my emotions allows me to stay in control.

In the realm of mental health, especially for those of us navigating BPD, the concept of emotions as superpowers can hold amazing significance. Our emotions, often seen as turbulent forces, can indeed be our greatest strengths. Through personification, I was able to create a safe and transformational distance that allowed me to have more control and clearer observation and understanding.

So, as you continue on your journey, remember that your emotions are not just experiences—they are your superpowers, waiting to be harnessed for your growth and well-being. Embrace them, personify them, and discover the immense strength you hold within.

About the Author: Des Caminos is an Embodiment & Somatic Practitioner with two degrees, who received a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder in 2014. She shares her time with the Lived Experience Committee because she believes in the power and healing of a life beyond a diagnosis. Des is here to help break down stigma and share experiences and resources because she believes we are truly all in this together. You can find her on all social media platforms under Des Caminos.