Emotions Are Messengers, Not Masters

Universal Secret Number One: Feelings Aren’t Facts 

But They’re Still Worth Listening To

Emotions are like those little notification bubbles on your phone.

You know, the ones that pop up and say, “Hey, something’s happening!”

But they don’t always tell the whole story.

Sometimes they’re just like, “You’re tired,” or “You’re hungry,” or “You haven’t had a real conversation in three days and your brain is spiraling.” And yet, I used to treat every feeling like it was gospel. Like if I felt anxious, it meant something was wrong. If I felt angry, someone must have done something terrible.

But nah.

Sometimes it’s just… weather.

Or hormones.

Or a weird dream I forgot I had.

I’m learning (slowly, clumsily) that emotional maturity isn’t about not feeling things — it’s about not letting those feelings drive the car. They can sit in the passenger seat. They can even DJ.

But they don’t get to grab the wheel and swerve into oncoming traffic just because I got a weird text or someone looked at me funny.

It’s wild how much calmer life gets when you pause and go, “Okay, I feel this. But what else is true?”

Yes, I feel overwhelmed.

But also, I’ve gotten through worse.

Yes, I feel rejected. But also, I’m still worthy. It’s not about denying the emotion — it’s about decoding it.

Listening without letting it take over.

So yeah. Emotions are messengers.

EMOTIONS ARE NOT IN CHARGE.

And I’m trying to be a better listener without handing over the keys.