“We cannot selectively numb emotions; when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions”

Simplified Meaning:

When you try to block out bad feelings to avoid pain, you also end up blocking out good feelings like happiness. Imagine you are wearing thick gloves to protect your hands from something hot. While the gloves stop the heat, they also make it impossible to feel anything soft or nice. This is how emotions work too. If you numb yourself to avoid sadness or anger because they hurt, you also miss out on joy and love. For instance, someone who has been hurt in a relationship might try not to feel anything to protect themselves from more pain. But by doing this, they also can't fully enjoy the warmth and closeness of new relationships. Being open to feeling everything—even the tough emotions—allows you to experience the richness of life, including its happiest moments. So, it's essential to embrace all your feelings, both good and bad, to live fully and truly connect with others.