I wanted to share a story I thought you'd find insightful, but before I do, I first need to give a little background.
Last year, I participated in a program where one of the speakers was Dr. Richard "Dick" Schwartz, the founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS). (My psychologist says there are several similar methods.)
If you've never heard of IFS, on a very general level, it works as follows. On occasion, you may have heard yourself say, "a part of me ___ (wants / feels / needs / thinks)," after which, you may not have given that "part" of you any thought. However, in IFS, you are taught to catch yourself saying that (or feeling that) and you give this little "part of you" a persona. For me, that persona is often a little child, but, as you will see, it can take on any form. You can do this with any feelings, sensations, or emotions you may have.