Welcome Vibers,
In this edition, we’ll be exploring the chaotic storm of emotions and discussing how to master them by learning emotional regulation. Keep reading to find the skills that can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
"Emotional intelligence begins to develop when we can think and feel at the same time." - Wendy Palmer
From Personal Struggle to Professional Insight
Growing up, I often felt dismissed when expressing my emotions, leading me to suppress them and rely on logic and reason. Unfortunately, this only increased my feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Perhaps you've experienced similar feelings? You might wonder why this is a problem. The issue that you run into is that you can’t connect with people if you're not emotionally available to them. As a result, you can’t grow deeper & closer in your relationships, which will only worsen in anxiety and depression. This personal struggle has inspired me to help others find the balance between emotions and logic.
The Two Extremes: Overly Logical vs. Overly Emotional
In my profession, I've found that people often fall into two categories:
Overly logical: Those who suppress their emotions, relying on reason and logic.
(see above 👆)
Overly emotional: Those who express every emotion without guidance or structure.
Overly emotional individuals often lack the guidance and structure needed to navigate their feelings. While encouraged to express their emotions, they aren't taught that not every emotion is accurate or based. Emotional regulation helps strike a balance between these two extremes.
Key Strategies for Emotional Regulation
Self-awareness:
Tune in to your emotions. Pay attention to how you feel and try to label your emotions with words. This simple act can help you gain clarity and control.
For example, instead of saying "I'm stressed," identify the specific emotion, like "I'm feeling anxious about this presentation." or "I'm afraid I'm going to fail at it."
Healthy expression:
Share your feelings with someone you trust. Practice being honest and vulnerable without blaming or accusing.
For instance, say, "I felt hurt when you didn't call me back," rather than "You always ignore me."
Coping strategies:
Use deep breaths, visualization, or grounding exercises to stay centered when emotions run high.
For example, when feeling overwhelmed, visualize a calming place or practice the "5-4-3-2-1" grounding technique.
Flexibility:
Learn to adapt your emotional response to the situation.
For instance, try to see the humor in a frustrating situation instead of getting angry.
Take Control of Your Emotional Journey
Emotional regulation is a life skill we all need, and it's never too late to start learning. Practice self-awareness, healthy expression, coping strategies, and flexibility to find that balance. Are you ready to take control of your emotions and let them guide you towards a more balanced and fulfilling life?
Keep growing & vibing,
@gmphilosopher
Architect of Vibes