In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing mental health is crucial. Just when I felt like I had tried all the modalities out there for mental health, I stumbled onto the Human Design system. I was first introduced to it in August 2021. I’ve been down the rabbit hole and experimenting with it ever since. Discovering my undefined Emotional Center has been an eye-opener.
My Human Design studies have prompted my curiosity lately. Is there a connection between mental health and our unique Human Design Bodygraph? Could this system be a valuable tool for self-awareness and enhancing my mental health? So far, I have observed intriguing parallels and connections.
Upon introspection, I noticed a consistent behavioral pattern that has shaped my experiences. Throughout my life, I have keenly felt and absorbed the emotions of others. Which is typically known as being an empath. It was through my exploration of the Human Design System that I found out about my Undefined Emotional Center (The Solar Plexus).
Our Undefined Emotional Center is Picking up on Emotions
The Solar Plexus Center is an emotional Center and considered one of four motors. If it’s defined in our Bodygraph chart, it is our inner Authority.
When this Center is Defined in our Bodygraph, there’s a consistent and reliable way to experience our emotional energy. Alternatively, if it’s Undefined (one or more defined gates in the Center) or Open (no defined gates in the Center) there’s not a consistent way of experiencing our emotions. Instead, our emotions can depend on the people we’re around.
When we’re around people with a Defined Emotional Center and ours is Undefined or Open; we are more energetically sensitive to pick up their emotions and magnify them. Which is often described as being an empath. I describe it as being an empath with emotions. The other Undefined or Open Centers in our Bodygraph would be considered being an empath to those particular Center characteristics. There are 9 Centers in the Bodygraph.
Wisdom
Within the realm of an Undefined or Open Center, a valuable wisdom can be gained. With the Solar plexus (emotional center), one way is by developing the ability to observe the emotions of others without becoming entangled in them. Another way is by deconditioning our undefined Emotional Centers from years of societal conditioning.
This little bit of knowledge for me, shed a lot of light on my past relationship dynamics. To foster healing, I embark on a journey of heightened self-awareness to observe emotions that aren’t mine:
First, I practice mindfulness to discern my own emotions—when, where, how, and with whom do emotions arise.
Next, I initiate a heartfelt internal dialogue, asking myself the purpose and origin of these emotions.
Finally, I gently remind myself that these emotions are not mine to bear. Releasing them with compassionate self-talk. Taming reactivity remains a challenge, but the path to becoming less reactive is undeniably transformative.
My ultimate goal of learning the Human Design System is for radical self-acceptance. I’ve learned that the Undefined and Open Centers in my Bodygraph are a great guide for healing some of my old wounds. However, I’m still going through the decontioning process.
Talking with my therapist about cognitive awareness tools, working through traumas I’ve experienced, incorporating the Human Design System, among other tools has proven to be helpful for my own mental health journey.
The Not-Self Theme of the Undefined Emotional Center
Not-Self is a term that is used for living with a mask basically, not living as our true authentic self.
The not-self theme associated with this Center involves the avoidance of emotional confrontation and truth. In our daily life, this may manifest as:
Overemphasis on others’ happiness. Holding the belief that ensuring everyone’s happiness is of the utmost importance. Feeling hyper vigilant with scanning the moods of others. Adjusting our own behavior to accommodate and please others.
Feeling over responsible for others to the point where it gets in the way of our own happiness.
Concerned with not hurting anyones feelings. Being overly cautious about avoiding any actions or words that could potentially hurt another. Restraining ourselves from expressing or doing certain things due to concerns about how others will be impacted.
Opting to steer clear of dealing with certain situations out of fear. Resorting to behaviors like emotional eating or substance use. Avoiding specific individuals, locations, or circumstances.
Of course we have to take into consideration our lived experiences and how we absorbed any trauma in our lives.
De-conditioning our Undefined Emotional Center
Undefined or Open Centers are places we are typically more conditioned by others. Deconditioning in the Human Design System refers to the process of recognizing and letting go of ingrained beliefs and cultural expectations. The subconscious norms that influence our lives until we actively start dismantling them. It involves unlearning and identifying the conditioning that shapes our behavior and choices.
However, there is an incredible amount of wisdom that we can find in these Undefined or Open Centers. Especially once we begin our deconditoning process.
Let’s look at some more of the wisdom to be gained from an Undefined or Open Emotional Center:
Making Decisions
It’s important not to base decisions solely on this particular Center if it’s Undefined or Open. For instance, when a friend enthusiastically invites us to an event. We might be tempted to immediately say yes because we’re magnifying their excitement. However, it’s important to check in with our Strategy and inner Authority before providing a definite answer. This will ensure we’re making the best decision for ourselves rather than from their excitement.
Wisdom – Take the time to check in with your Strategy and Inner Authority before making decisions. This helps you discern from someone else’s emotions. Providing the right direction for how you feel about a decision.
Supporting Others’ Emotions
Avoid trying to fix someone who is expressing discomfort. Those with a Defined Emotional Center are typically equipped to process their own emotions effectively. Instead, listen to them, offer support, and validate their feelings. Remembering that it’s not your responsibility to resolve their emotions.
Wisdom – Detach from other people’s emotions. As hard as that may be, they’re not your emotions. Continue to be empathetic but remember those emotions are not yours.
Avoiding Confrontation and Amplifying Anger
We tend to avoid confrontation due to the fear of someone losing their temper. We could fear that we will amplify their anger. Or we could have a trauma response to their anger. Such as fight, flight, fawn, freeze, and/orflop.
Wisdom – Learning not to shy away from difficult conversations due to fear of someone else’s emotions. Make sure you’re supported through this.
Take Space for Clarity
During heated discussions, it’s beneficial to take some space to process our own emotions. This allows us to detach from the other person’s emotions and gain clarity on our own emotions.
Wisdom – Take the space to be alone with your own emotions.
Deconditioning from societal conditioning
Where did you learn certain emotional responses? Did you pick up on childhood stress from your parents? Teasing from siblings or school kids? The Undefined/Open Centers are sponges for emotional energy that isn’t yours. The good AND the bad.
Wisdom – Going through the deconditioning process means to learn new ways, your ways… of responding. To see things in a new way. To be able to free yourself of others emotions and feel your own emotions.
Being Intentional with Surroundings
Being intentional with the people we surround ourselves with applies to everyone. However, those with an Undefined or Open Emotional Center will amplify the emotions of those with a Defined Emotional Center. Surrounding ourselves with uplifting, inspiring, and successful individuals will result in you magnifying positive energy. While being around people who focus solely on negativity will magnify those emotions within you.
Wisdom – Become aware of who drains your energy. Finding people who do not drain your energy to spend more time with.
Take Time for Yourself
Throughout your day, try to check in with yourself. Find somewhere you can be alone to see your authentic self. Without the emotions of others. Time to release everyone else’s emotions and to rest and to reset.
Sometimes to release emotions from others, it’s helpful to just get up and move around. Walk, bike, dance, whatever it takes to shake it off. Take a shower to reset, journal, do some grounding, yoga, and breath. Whatever will bring you back to you.
Wisdom – Find what works for you to release and reset.
Setting Boundaries and Creating Space
Set boundaries and hold yourself accountable for maintaining them. If certain individuals drain your energy, it’s essential to start saying no to being around them. This creates space in your life to connect with people who make you feel good and contribute positively to your well-being.
Wisdom – Experiment with boundaries that will work for you. It’s important to get back to yourself.
Decondtioing our Undefined Emotional Center
Do you see any similarities with Human Design System’s Undefined Emotional Center and mental health?
Have you explored the Human Design System? You can get your free Human Design chart from: MyBodyGraph.com or GeneticMatrix.com
We just have to keep trying different things to find what will work for us. Remember that what may work for one, may not work for another. Hang on and keep experimenting.
Seeking professional support is courageous!
Are you Slowing Down for Mental Health?
Brining you sporadic non-conventional publications. A non-professional perspective on life from a Genx ginger hermit with CPTSD.
I wish, they are rescues and I don't know when they were born but if I had to guess I would say my dog is a reflector and my cat is a generator LOL
Is your son emotionally defined or do you define eachother's sp?