Recognizing Your Emotions

February 18, 2010

1. I recognized the emotions I felt by my non-verbal reactions. When I was tired I slouched against the couch or did my homework with my computer on my lap in my bed. I noticed I also listened more in conversations rather than contributed. However, I recognized my physiological factors when my crush came over my heart rate increased. I became more upbeat yet more conscious of myself and my surroundings. Cognitively I hear many times that I have strong facial expressions during a movie. Since I am not able to observe my face, I am always surprised every time I hear it. However, oddly enough the facial expressions they say I have are do not always match up with how I am feeling during the movie.
2. For the most part I could decipher the emotions I was feeling throughout the 3 day period. I noticed I was the most wishy-washy with my feelings when it came to boys. And one in particular. One minute I’d really like him and the next minute I’d think to myself, “No self, you don’t like him, he’s just your friend.” Back and forth throughout the majority of the time I was with him. The emotions would drastically change too- which explains to me how boys can get so frustrated with girls! I was frustrated with myself for the roller-coaster of emotions. I usually am pretty consistent with my emotions but realized how unstable they were around my crush!
3. I would say I have majority primary emotions and majority mild emotions. I am pretty laid back and easy-going. When I’m happy it shows, when I’m sad it shows. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I purposefully try not to be extreme in any emotions. I physically try and maintain a happy medium. By not getting too excited, too mad, too angry, too silly, too blunt, too quiet etc. It becomes a conscious effort to cognitively control. But because I have been practicing it for years, it has also become second nature and more natural.
4. I usually don’t show my feelings when my parents are lecturing me (so mostly this was when I lived at home). Every now and then I will receive a phone call about money management or some other issue and I find that I sort of lock up and just run through the emotions of getting the conversation over with by agreeing and not arguing, yet in my head I find perfectly logical arguments, but I just don’t ever think it’s worth the energy or fight. I always show my emotions if it has to do with religious or spiritual nature. It has been that way for as long as I can remember. I can be quiet and not say a word, but if religion was brought up or someone asked me questions I immediately have a whole new persona about me. I have also noticed that “pillow talk” is where most emotions are felt. My roommates and I are always staying up late and talking about any topic that is indulging. It’s great to see everyone’s opinions and how they feel about things.
5. I am satisfied with the substantial conversations I have. I love to talk and listen. I love to communicate! I love to help others with their problems, yet am not as willing to talk about mine. It greatly fits under the fallacy of perfection. That sums up the majority of my life. I have a problem letting others know I have a problem because I always am the one who fixes problems. So when I am hurt or sad or upset or frustrated I pretend I’m ok and I leave on a drive or go on a walk and work things out with myself usually through prayer and then go home happy. I don’t know if this is the best way to handle things, but I know that Christ understands my situations so I don’t bother having my friends or roommates deal with it. I also think that this could be an issue of pride- by not wanting others to know I have problems. Which writing out sounds ridiculous! Everyone has problems! I suppose that I should work on being more expressive of my feelings with others around me. And not just feelings or ideas because I have no problem expressing that but more of when letting others help me when I need it.