How to Finally Manage Your Emotions Even If You’re An Emotional Person

I am (admittedly) an emotional person. It’s taken me many years and a great deal of trial and error to get to where I am today. Part of my journey has been to seek out alternative methods of taming the monster inside my head.

Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy teaches us that even while suffering, there is potential for finding meaning.

This perspective encourages us to look beyond our immediate pain and seek a purpose that gives us a reason to persevere.

Here’s how I interpret logotherapy:

Practical Strategies for Emotional Resilience

Here are some ways to apply this approach:

Embrace the Value of Suffering: Instead of viewing difficult emotions as purely negative experiences, consider what they can teach you. Reflect on how they can contribute to personal growth, empathy, and a deeper understanding of life.

Dessi Disclaimer: I know this is harder than it sounds, but I’m sure you’ve been there. Sitting by yourself, your head pounding from the massive influx of cortisol your body has pumped through you as you wrestle with wanting to punch (insert whoever drove you crazy at that moment). Next time you’re in that spot – ask yourself – what have I learned here? If the answer is nothing – cool, keep it moving. If you can pull even the tiniest of nuggets out of the situation – you’re winning. High five.

Identify Sources of Meaning: During tough times, remind yourself of what truly matters to you. This could be relationships, career goals, personal values, or creative pursuits. Focusing on these can provide a sense of direction and motivation. For me – it’s my girls. I can recalibrate my emotions by reminding myself I do everything for them. Typically this is right before I want to rip someone’s head off, and I think to myself “It’s probably not the best example to set by spending the night in jail.”

Set Small, Purposeful Goals: When overwhelmed by negative emotions, set small, achievable goals aligned with your values. This can help restore a sense of control and progress. This is easy – small wins can win the day. I get up way too early to do Crossfit, so even if I’ve had a total shit sandwich of a day, I can say I accomplished my fitness goal for the day.

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Keep up the good work #motifvation #love #support #als #death #mourning

Incorporating logotherapy into your life can provide a strong foundation for emotional resilience. Here are additional practical strategies to help you cope:

Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, can help you stay present and reduce the intensity of negative emotions.

Dessi Disclaimer – Meditation helps, for sure. But sometimes, nothing helps. Not. One. Thing. Because let’s face it —sometimes things are just shitty. So having a purpose in your life can help to guide you through shitty times. Chin up!

Express Yourself: Writing, art, music, and conversation are powerful outlets for expressing and processing difficult emotions.

Dessi Disclaimer: I write (obviously) and it serves as therapy, I also dabble in art on my iPad during my commute, and I even picked up playing guitar and bass again and play in a School of Rock band. These things collectively, have saved my life. Maybe they can help you too? I hope so.

Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or professionals for support. Sharing your experiences can lighten your emotional load and provide new perspectives. Please write to me here, and add your experiences in the comments.

By embracing the principles of logotherapy, we can navigate difficult emotions with greater ease and resilience. Remember, it’s not about avoiding negative emotions but learning how to cope with them constructively, finding meaning and balance in the process.

Please don’t punch anyone in the face today.

Keep up the good work,

Chris