How can I learn to master my unpleasant emotions?

How can I learn to master my unpleasant emotions? This is an absolutely amazing TED talk by Dr. Joan Rosenberg, which explains how we can better handle our troublesome feelings. I have been plagued for years by negative emotions, and an inability to control them. Dr. Rosenberg has given me a new way of looking at them, by viewing them simply as unpleasant, rather than negative.

She advises that when we experience sadness, shame, helplessness, anger, vulnerability, embarrassment, disappointment or frustration we allow ourselves to fully experience the feeling. We make a choice to stay fully present, and be aware of the experience, rather than trying to avoid it. If we can do this, we gain self-confidence and emotional strength.

When these feelings are triggered, chemicals from our brain rush through our bodies, giving us unpleasant physical sensations, and the unpleasant emotions will follow. The important thing to realise is that these are temporary, and only last a maximum of 90 seconds. We only need to experience the unpleasant sensations for a short time, before they subside, like waves on a beach.

I think this will be one of the most helpful TED talks I have ever seen, as it has given me tools to help manage my emotions properly for the first time in my life. What emotions are you struggling with? Do you think this technique could help you too?

Project 365

I set up this website after deciding that I want to build a more creative life for myself, so I can give up my job and be in control of my own destiny.

I have set myself a goal of publishing an article on my website every day this year, to document my journey from employment to self-employment.

The name I chose was Project 365 because I see this as a year that I have dedicated to learning and self-development, as I countdown to freedom. It started on 1st January 2021, so I have 298 days to go!

Why not check in on a regular basis to see how I am progressing, and what I have discovered?