All human beings are capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions. In fact, being able to feel emotions is an enormous part of what makes us human. As we transition from childhood to adulthood, we go through the difficult process of understanding and learning to control our emotions so that they do not cause us to say or do anything that will result in regret.
We are all familiar with the stereotype of an angry, moody teenager. For many teachers and parents, this stereotype exists as a reality in the students and children that they are responsible for. On the other hand, there are also many teenagers and young adults who grapple with their own emotions, wondering whether their struggles are real or shared by anyone else.
The first concept that we need to understand when we learn to manage our emotions is that there is no emotion that is wrong. There are no feelings that we must never feel. We should not, at any point in our lives, endeavour to block out a specific feeling. Instead, we should only focus on the way we respond to the emotions that we feel.
We must also understand that there is no feeling that lasts forever. Think of our mind as the sky, and the emotions we feel as weather patterns. Sometimes, the weather may last for a long time. However, the seasons always change and we will always see a difference in the weather. This fact applies to both positive and negative emotions. When we feel angry or sad, remember that those feelings will eventually pass, just the way rain clouds tend to gradually float away. Similarly, when we feel extremely happy, remember that this feeling will eventually be interrupted by another one, just the way clouds tend to cover up the sun for a few minutes. This does not mean that you will never be happy again.
Young people feel emotions in the same way that adults do. Oftentimes, they may react to their emotions in an unreasonable manner because they have not yet fully understood how to express themselves and their emotions in the proper way. However, this does not mean that the situation that has caused them to be upset or excited is insignificant.
Learning about one’s emotions is not a task that is easily done alone. Young people need adults around them who will listen to them and offer constructive advice rather than dismissing them.
Elizabeth Gilbert, a journalist and author once said “your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.”
Thus, the final and most important concept to remember is that while we cannot fully control our emotions, we can always shape our thoughts to ensure that we generally have a positive outlook on life.
As young people, we must understand that managing our emotions is an active task that requires an investment of energy, time and careful thought. Having full control of our thoughts and actions means that first, we are comfortable with our emotions.
