Big Feelings Are Okay

When there's cancer in your life, you might feel a lot of different things — sometimes all in the same day. You might feel:

• scared about what will happen
• mad that this is happening at all
• sad, and maybe cry sometimes
• worried about someone you love
• bored with all the waiting and resting
• or even okay and happy — and then feel funny about feeling happy

Every one of these is allowed

There are no wrong feelings. You don't have to be brave all the time. You don't have to smile if you don't feel like smiling. And if you feel happy and want to play and laugh, that's good too — you're allowed to still have fun.

Feelings are a bit like water. If you keep them all bottled up, the bottle gets too full. Letting them out, little by little, helps you feel lighter.

Ways to let feelings out

• Talk to a grown-up you trust — a parent, a teacher, a nurse, or a counselor.
• Draw or paint what's inside you, even if it's just scribbles and colors.
• Move your body — jump, dance, or squeeze a pillow when you feel mad.
• Write it down, if you like writing. Some kids keep a feelings journal.

You're not alone

Lots of kids have felt exactly the way you feel now. You are not the only one, and you don't have to handle big feelings by yourself. Whenever a feeling gets too big, find a grown-up and tell them. That's not being a baby — that's being smart and brave.