This week I found out I follow a lot of my emotions. And they are usually all over the place every day. Always been busy with learning not to follow every thought i'm having, but now I see it's also my emotions. I can go from happy to feeling down in 10 seconds, but I don't have to let that control my life. It's really an eye-opener and something to learn.

Anyone having this experience and how do you deal with it?

Without throwing cliches, I think balancing them is the key, as following both is important.

How do I deal with it? Badly lol I tend to follow my emotions more, though. Very unwise.

I suppose reminding one's self about the repercussions of blindly follow either might do the trick, but it didn't seem to work well with me.

Interesting...

...I would say that I am not necessarily RULED by my emotions (I'd like to consider myself somewhat pragmatic & I always think things over two or three times before committing to anything major)...

HOWEVER, my emotions rule HOW I deal with life in a way that's probably stronger (and less healthy) than the norm.

Does that make sense?

I think I live by my emotions, except when it comes to my children. Cause you know, they have taught me the meaning of patience and tolerance in more ways than one and as a result we have a pretty good relationship...whew! I agree, balance is the key, which is very hard to do...for me it's a work in progress.

PurpleJedi said:

Interesting...

...I would say that I am not necessarily RULED by my emotions (I'd like to consider myself somewhat pragmatic & I always think things over two or three times before committing to anything major)...

HOWEVER, my emotions rule HOW I deal with life in a way that's probably stronger (and less healthy) than the norm.

Does that make sense?

No not really

What's the difference between living your life (pragmatic) and dealing with your life? Do you mean you're dealing with the things happening to you more emotionally but you make plans pragmatic?

SweeTeaII said:

I think I live by my emotions, except when it comes to my children. Cause you know, they have taught me the meaning of patience and tolerance in more ways than one and as a result we have a pretty good relationship...whew! I agree, balance is the key, which is very hard to do...for me it's a work in progress.

Interesting to see you can choose which part of your life you live by emotions and which you don't (your children). How do you switch it off than when it comes to your children?

robertlove said:

PurpleJedi said:

Interesting...

...I would say that I am not necessarily RULED by my emotions (I'd like to consider myself somewhat pragmatic & I always think things over two or three times before committing to anything major)...

HOWEVER, my emotions rule HOW I deal with life in a way that's probably stronger (and less healthy) than the norm.

Does that make sense?

No not really

What's the difference between living your life (pragmatic) and dealing with your life? Do you mean you're dealing with the things happening to you more emotionally but you make plans pragmatic?

Here's an example:

My car is old.
My emotions cause me to yearn for a fancy, shiny new car. I look with envy at people driving brand new Ford Mustangs and Audi TT's. I feel embarrassed about being seen in my battered old car.
1) I do NOT allow these feelings and emotions to prompt me into getting in over my head with a new car that I can not afford.
2) I DO allow these feelings and emotions to make me feel like my car is a piece of crap & all the stuff I stated above, when intellectually I know that I should be grateful for what I have.

NOW does it make sense?

PurpleJedi said:

robertlove said:

No not really

What's the difference between living your life (pragmatic) and dealing with your life? Do you mean you're dealing with the things happening to you more emotionally but you make plans pragmatic?

Here's an example:

My car is old.
My emotions cause me to yearn for a fancy, shiny new car. I look with envy at people driving brand new Ford Mustangs and Audi TT's. I feel embarrassed about being seen in my battered old car.
1) I do NOT allow these feelings and emotions to prompt me into getting in over my head with a new car that I can not afford.
2) I DO allow these feelings and emotions to make me feel like my car is a piece of crap & all the stuff I stated above, when intellectually I know that I should be grateful for what I have.

NOW does it make sense?

yes, good example. it's actually what i mean, you feel the emotion but you don't act on it. A lot of times I also act on it...let's say, I would buy the new car....

robertlove said:

PurpleJedi said:

Here's an example:

My car is old.
My emotions cause me to yearn for a fancy, shiny new car. I look with envy at people driving brand new Ford Mustangs and Audi TT's. I feel embarrassed about being seen in my battered old car.
1) I do NOT allow these feelings and emotions to prompt me into getting in over my head with a new car that I can not afford.
2) I DO allow these feelings and emotions to make me feel like my car is a piece of crap & all the stuff I stated above, when intellectually I know that I should be grateful for what I have.

NOW does it make sense?

yes, good example. it's actually what i mean, you feel the emotion but you don't act on it. A lot of times I also act on it...let's say, I would buy the new car....

In my book...I should not even FEEL those negative emotions...which is why I wouldn't say I'm free from emotional turmoil, as those feelings can bring me down from a relative high in seconds (as you stated in your original post).



Such a complicated mess. I should try herbal medications more often perhaps.

To paraphrase Dr. Yang, from Woody Allen's Alice: 'No logic to emotions. Where there is no logic, there is no rational thought. Where there is no rational thought, there can be...much suffering.'

I find that people who are driven by emotion usually make rash decisions. And rash decisions are generally not good decisions.

You say, "I can go from happy to feeling down in 10 seconds". You might ask yourself, Why is that?

It sounds like you are allowing things outside of yourself to control your emotions. The key word here is "allowing". Ultimately, you are the one in the driver's seat.

robertlove said:

It was my choice to be a mother at which time I knew the emotional toll it was going to take as I had basically raised my younger siblings starting at the age of 11. so I guess I had a little practice prior to having my own. when it comes to dealing with other issues in life I expect certain types of behavior from the people I deal with I.e. boyfriends friends co-workers. and usually I try to give people the benefit of doubt until proven otherwise. this is where emotions take over. if I give u benefit of doubt and u prove to be doubtful I get a little emotional. like I said before its a work in progress. my main goal is to try not to be the same person I am now 4 - 5 years from now...or even 4 - 5 months from now.