Life is hard, and we face many challenges, from failures to breakups. There are moments when we simply want to express our emotions. Occasionally it’s just enough. However, emotional control is not limited to the significant events in one’s life; it is also necessary for the minor ones. Does it just need a short moment of anger, frustration, hate, etc., to make you act emotional? I will teach you how you can slowly change that and become a calmer and more controlled person.
Find inner peace.
I am quite sensible as a person, so much so that I experience strong senses of emotion in various circumstances. However, I have learned to manage and regulate them. It was never an easy task, and it shouldn’t be. Chances are, you are also sensible and emotional at moments. However, if I can make a change, so can you. Finding inner peace is the first step to a new you. It will assist you in maintaining a sense of tranquility; however, it does not imply that you are capable of fully managing your emotions.
Life is tough; it really is. It’s likely that you’ve experienced a significant amount of hardship. Whether it’s small or big doesn’t matter. The experience you’ve gone through matters, even if it’s just a small thing. Sure, some people have gone through more, but your story is just about you, not about them. This is the first thing you need to realize.
Don’t force yourself to be strong when you really are not strong. Strength needs to be learned, but this is a step for the future. Now, you must halt your escape from the past and whatever has been chasing you, and reciprocate the favor. Realize who you are, what you have gone through, and just be. Accepting the past and present is the most powerful thing you can do. It happened, but that doesn’t need to define your present behaviors or how your future will look. Of course, this step needs time. Meditation, journaling, and maybe therapy can also help with this step.
Strengthen your resilience.
Inner peace is just one thing; you will still need to be more resilient. Life is hard; many things can hurt you emotionally. But that doesn’t mean you have to live in sadness and depression. However, if you possess resilience and a strong mind, you can not only endure difficult times, but also overcome them and become even stronger. A strong mind never gives up and continues to fight. With this skill, emotional events will affect you less.
However, you must train a strong emotional mind; you cannot acquire it without effort. If you are down at the bottom right now, then your resilience skill will be very low. But you still can train it. One important thing for a resilient mind is to meditate—in the best case, daily. Focus on your breath and meditate daily for as long as possible. In the ideal scenario, you meditate twice daily, at the commencement and conclusion of your day. This alone will make you more calm and resilient.
However, please keep in mind the most important thing for resilience. Do hard things! Indeed, it’s both simple and challenging. When we look at the Shaolin monks, they practice martial arts and meditation to train their minds. The main goal of the physical training is not just to strengthen the body, but primarily to cultivate mental discipline. That is because a strong body equals a tough mind. By engaging in challenging activities on a daily basis, one not only develops greater discipline but also greater resilience.
Stoic Mindset
Another method for enhancing emotional control is philosophy, specifically the ancient practice of stoicism. Originally, stoicism had a religious context, but it remains applicable today. The practice of stoicism is ancient but useful. One can learn various lessons about life and struggle. But I advise you to read the stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius or Seneca. Those are excellent beginner lessons in Stoicism. For easy access, you can listen to the Practical Stoicism podcast.
Realize that life is challenging, but worrying about things won’t bring about any change. You can continue to worry or weep for as long as you desire; however, it will not alter the situation that is causing you emotional distress. Instead, say, “So be it,” because you can either change something practical or nothing. In both cases, worrying is not the right way to handle it.
Balance logic and emotions.
Emotions are human; it’s no shame to feel them. Don’t suppress them, but experience them like they are. However, the issue is with acting emotional instead of logical. You should never act illogically and out of emotions. Even when it pertains to matters such as love, it is imperative to behave rationally. The term “true emotional control” refers to the ability to experience emotions without reacting to them.
Keep in mind, emotions are still important. They have a reason to exist, but you have to address them with logic. How do you do that? How can logic address emotions? I know that sounds strange, but it’s possible. Instead of acting on or completely suppressing them, your emotions will become your consultants.
Consider the following: the King is your intellect, reasoning, and reasoning abilities, while the Consultants are the emotions you can experience. You are currently experiencing an emotion in response to a specific circumstance; this is the perspective of a consultant. Would you consider discussing the opinion further before making a decision? Let’s say you like a certain person, but you still know that going with them will be bad for you. Love, lust, or both will tell you to just go for it. Do you heed this advice when logic suggests otherwise?
This is how you should behave in every situation, not suppressing your emotions, but also allowing them to express themselves. It should be your consultant, but never control over you.
Conquer your inner demons.
Finally, you also need to “conquer your inner demons.” There will always be a part of your mind that opposes you. It will not allow you to be disciplined and well-controlled without putting up a fight. The lower self within you remains unbeatable. However, it is possible to overcome it consistently. You will need to learn to never ignore them and always listen to them. Occasionally it’s okay to correct them, but not more. They will consistently ask for more, which could potentially cause long-term harm.
People often refer to these demons as “inner pig dogs.” While this name is appropriate, the term “demons” is a better fit. Despite the fact that it is not an actual demon, it will always be a voice in your head that you should not listen to. If you mastered the steps before, you will have a strong mind and be well-disciplined. You now have the strength to ignore them or make amendments if needed.
It might be hard, but you need to keep fighting day after day. Making amends with your inner demons allows you to relax in these fights and regain energy. For instance, you could watch a movie one day and ignore your inner demons’ desire for more. They want you to watch another one, but you simply need to refuse. For everything that is uncomfortable, they will protest against you taking action. Don’t listen and instead follow the voice of your higher self, the part of your mind that tells you to do the hard work and grind. This will always be your ally in life.
Conclusion
Life is tough, and sometimes emotions hit us like a ton of bricks. But remember, you’re not alone in this battle—you have the power to change your emotional responses. By finding inner peace, strengthening your resilience, embracing a stoic mindset, balancing logic with emotion, and conquering your inner demons, you’re taking control of your life, one step at a time.
Every small victory in this journey is a win, a reminder that you can evolve beyond your past and shape a calmer, stronger future. It isn’t about erasing your emotions; it’s about mastering them so that they work for you, not against you. So, be patient, be persistent, and keep fighting—even when the road seems long. Your higher self is waiting for you on the other side of every challenge.
What to Do
✔ Find Inner Peace: Set aside daily time for meditation, journaling, or simply enjoying quiet moments.
✔ Strengthen Your Resilience: Challenge yourself by doing something difficult every day to build your mental strength.
✔ Embrace a Stoic Mindset: Read works by Marcus Aurelius or Seneca, and listen to Practical Stoicism podcasts to learn that some things are simply “the way they are.”
✔ Balance Logic and Emotion: Treat your emotions as consultants—listen to what they say, but don’t act on them impulsively.
✔ Conquer Your Inner Demons: Identify and challenge negative self-talk, and replace those destructive thoughts with positive, constructive ones.
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