What we/I feel is not that important really. What you feel yourself, looking in the mirror (and what you do with what you see) is important.
For now I'll leave this song and a link to the lyrics.
For me this has always been an eye-opener (and reminder) on several moments in my life in the past.
https://www.google.com/search?q=lyrics+this+is+the+sea&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b
Do you choose (to stay on) the river or go to the (bigger) sea.