In 2024, we’re prioritizing healthy relationships. And, a huge factor to building and sustaining healthy relationships with people and ourselves is emotional intelligence. We all have moments when we feel like an array of feelings all at once and sometimes it’s tough to handle. We’re here to show you how we’re building emotional intelligence and how you can as well.
So, what exactly is emotional intelligence, in the first place? Well, it’s all about understanding and managing our emotions in a healthy and productive way. Think of it as a superpower that helps us navigate through life’s ups and downs. And let me tell you, it’s a skill worth having and even mastering.
The first thing we’d suggest is learning the descriptions for different emotions. A lot of times, we mistake certain emotions for others. You might not be angry but actually frustrated. We might not be upset, we might be humiliated. So there’s actually a difference. We say learn to identify the emotion for what it truly is. Then, it’d be easier to deal with it.
Now, we all know that emotions can sometimes be a little tricky but we need to stay aware of them. It’s like being your own personal emotional detector. We think it’s important to take the time to recognize how we’re feeling, and to not feel guilty or ashamed about it. Emotions are a part of being human.
Detecting emotions might not be as hard as managing them. What do you do when you’ve been pushed to the edge and that anger is brewing, however you’re not in a space where an outburst is excused? This is where deep breathing comes into play. When we’re feeling overwhelmed or upset, taking a moment to breathe deeply can be a good start to handling the situation for you. Just catch your breath and let that heart rate come down a bit. You can step away for a minute and cry if you need to. A good cry helps us sometimes.
Another trick we use is called self-reflection.– taking some time and checking in with ourselves. We think it’s important to ask ourselves, “Why am I feeling this way?” Taking a moment to understand the root of our emotions can help us come up with better ways to cope. We like to think about it like having a board meeting with your emotions – you get to be the boss and make some executive decisions. Trust us, it works.
Now, it’s important to remember that building emotional intelligence is a journey, not a destination. We’re all a work in progress, and that’s perfectly fine. We use this idea to remind ourselves to be patient and kind to ourselves. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is emotional intelligence. So let’s give ourselves some grace and give others as well.
In conclusion, keep in mind that the real test of emotional intelligence comes when we’re dealing with other people. We need to identify how they’re feeling and find the best approach to interact at that moment. If you’re not the best at reading body language or clues, simply just ask them how they’re feeling. After identifying that, remember to choose the approach that expresses kindness to them and ourselves no matter the situation. And yes, easier said than done but we know you can do it. Be patient with yourself and embrace the journey. And always remember, we’re here cheering you on every step of the way!
