Ever found yourself on the brink of becoming a "voracious monster" after a stressful day? You're not alone. This profound exploration of emotional regulation delves into the fundamental question: how do we behave according to our values when everything inside us wants to explode?
We begin by acknowledging the complex reality of human emotions. As Carl Jung noted, much of what drives us operates beneath the surface in our unconscious. Physical states—hunger, exhaustion, loneliness—can dramatically alter our mood and behavior, leaving us vulnerable to reactive responses we later regret. Children naturally operate at the mercy of these physical sensations, but as adults, we're called to something deeper.
The solution isn't found in suppressing emotions or simply "trying harder." Instead, it comes through identifying and anchoring to our core values—those guiding principles that define who we truly want to be. What would you want people to say about you at your funeral? Those answers reveal your values. Whether it's kindness, dependability, generosity, or integrity, these deeper commitments can provide stability when emotions and circumstances fluctuate.
The practical application is straightforward yet powerful: identify your values, make them visible in your daily life, and when triggered, pause to ask what one step toward those values might look like in that moment. This creates space between stimulus and response, allowing you to align your behavior with your best self rather than your momentary feelings. As Ryan aptly puts it, "Our emotions can't drive the car because they're terrible drivers. They can ride shotgun or in the back. They can't drive."
What values anchor you when life gets chaotic? Share this episode with someone who might benefit from finding their own guiding light through life's emotional storms.
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