top of page

One Thing Everyone Should Know

Updated: Nov 6, 2024



It's okay to be ambivalent.

Ambivalence is our ability to have both positive & negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing us in conflicting directions.

Realizing I had permission to be ambivalent was one of the most liberating experiences of my life.

Until that moment, I firmly believed that I had to know how I felt about things…

Whether I liked them or disliked them.

Whether I was happy or sad.

Whether I was hopeful or hopeless.

Or whether I anticipated with eagerness or not.

Because it was OK and natural to have multiple feelings about the same situation, I was freed from the internal battle to narrowly define myself and assign a crisp label to my emotions.


I could be of two minds.


Humans are complex creatures, so we naturally have a wide range of feelings about things.

The birth of a child is a good example of ambivalence denial.

It is rare for parents to experience anything other than “delight” and “joy” upon the birth of a child.

However, the arrival of a new baby comes with a host of negative consequences, including a decrease in freedom and choice, a shift in identity and lifestyle, exhaustion and depletion, anxiety, and overwhelm.

In other words, there are a lot more emotions than just “delight.”

The moral of the story is, it's okay to have mixed feelings about any one thing or person.


When you're feeling this way and faced with choices, it's important to tune in, accept both sides, and feel which one aligns most with your values & ideals.

The inner work you're doing right now can make those choices easier.

Comments


Commenting on this post isn't available anymore. Contact the site owner for more info.

Ready to Embrace What’s Next?


Whether you're struggling with a recent tragedy, a big transition, or if you're just tired and overwhelmed and want to evolve into the next version of you, I want you to know that you're not alone.


Our brains and our bodies continue to change and develop as we age, and with that come crossroads, turning points, twists and turns that can leave us with overwhelming uncertainty on what should come next.


Taking that next step and embracing the next version of you requires a deep understanding of who you are and who you want to be. If you're craving deep self-awareness, continuous growth, and healing, I'm here to help.


My Windows to Extraordinary membership is a holistic transformation program designed for women just like you. I open the doors to new members twice a year and I'd love for you to join us. Learn more here.


My in-person and self-guided retreats are intentional, powerful escapes from your everyday to focus on what YOU need most in order to thrive. See what's coming up in-person here or purchase your own self-guided retreat to experience on your own time.


All my best,

Jamie



FREE RESOURCES

WEEKLY WISDOM

Subscribe for weekly insights and wisdom in your inbox every Tuesday. 

Facebook logo icon
Instagram logo icon

@ 2025 Windows to Wisdom®

bottom of page