Last update: January 21, 2016
Emotions control what you think and what you do. They can cause emotional and physical pain if they are neglected. The good news is that they can also help you understand what's working and what's not working in your life.
It doesn't matter if you consider yourself a very sensitive and emotional person or a rational and practical person. Emotions are always present, because they are the result of the experiences you have lived.
Emotions are what forge and shape people; so, dear readers, take advantage of what you feel to improve without being completely dominated by your emotions.
There are no negative emotions
We have been educated to classify what we feel in terms of good or bad. In fact, all emotions play an important role in life.
What would happen if fear didn't push you to protect those you love? Where would you be if you weren't afraid of making mistakes and failing?
We often confuse destructive or negative expressions with the emotion itself.
Expressions can hurt those around you and even yourself. But if you block some feelings and don't allow yourself to hear their message, you will be stalled for a long time.
Love and fear: two fundamental emotions in life
Love and fear govern everything you experience. The rest of the emotions you feel are just variations.
Emotions that result from fear are anxiety, anger, control, sadness, depression, confusion, grief, loneliness, guilt and shame.
Among the emotions that arise from love are fun, happiness, attention, trust, compassion, honesty and satisfaction.
These are the basic emotions. All the others are variations in terms of intensity. For example, anger can manifest itself as disgust, when it is light, to exasperation, when instead it is at the limit..
We must listen to the head, but let the heart speak.
Learn to recognize your emotions
To understand the message your emotions want to convey to you, you first need to understand what you are feeling.
How many times do you happen to not really know how you feel? In other words, you can't explain what happens to you and why.
In order to recognize emotion, you need to focus on yourself for as long as you need. Focus your attention on your mood and analyze yourself. You can even spot physical symptoms related to your emotions.
Pay attention to your feelings and thoughts
The mind is prepared to think according to some patterns and does so unconsciously. Analyze what goes on in your mind during the day. This will help you understand what you love and what you hate.
If possible, record these thoughts and the emotions they trigger in you. After a few months, it will be easier to become aware of what you are feeling.
Identify your "small and insignificant pains"
What are the little things that bother you, but that you don't think are so important?
Many people discount the importance of the things that hurt them. Perhaps they believe that by doing so they take power away from these things, when in reality they are giving it to them.
Some of these "little pains" have been with you since you were children. These are emotions that are troubling you now that you are an adult. You can't go on until you recognize them and really fight them.
Be specific about the emotions you feel
It is easy to confuse emotions, because they are spoken of in very general terms.
An example is depression. Perhaps right now you are experiencing a separation from your loved ones, a spiritual loneliness, boredom or you simply do not find meaning in your life.
If someone asks you, you are likely to say that you are depressed. But as you can see, there are various causes. When you understand the reasons that lead you to a certain state of mind, then it will be easier to find a solution.
For this, try to be realistic and precise about your emotions. It will help you get to know yourself better and connect with your deepest self.
Learn to manage emotions
Don't be afraid of your emotions. Don't fight them, don't try to block them and don't run away.
Accept them, live them and try to understand them. We all come into the world feeling emotions. Emotions are neither good nor bad, they are simply part of us.
Over time you will realize that emotions dissipate until they disappear by themselves when you allow yourself to experience them and learn from them..
Just close your eyes and feel them in your deepest self as much as possible.
Images courtesy of Lauri Blank and Ofra Amit.
