EMOTIONS?! - Weekly Application Assignment #6

 SOOOOO

I'm back...? Kinda... Not really...

In case you didn't know this I am a psych major! I have this super cool assignment that I have to do where I write a blog. And I decided what better thing to do than update my actual blog!

I'm writing this after procrastinating on this blog for what... 2 years? (It's about to be 3 btw).

Anyways, this week's assignment is about emotions... 🙈

If you know me, which you probably don't, I hate talking about my feelings.

Luckily though we're not talking about MY feelings (thank god we'd be here for a couple of hours just discussing my ED's and how I still am afraid of loud sudden noises) 

It's okay, you can laugh. I do. :D

Anyways....Emotions...

A basic rundown of them is that:

-They are fundamental and neccesary to our nature as humans

- Help us communicate with others without need of words

-Help support network of social bonds

-And they define our individuality

Emotions are something that are learned from childhood to be able to fit in and have friends.

Unfortunately quite like myself, emotions have been stigmatized to be this evil, gross thing that causes you to become aware and sometimes, especially emotions like sadness and anger that can cause you to you know... *whispers* cry, are signs of weakness and lack of emotional stability. 

But trust me! Crying is not only good for your skin but it's good for the soul. It releases toxins (helps clear acne), and if you don't it slowly builds up like a can of soda, the more you shake it the harder it will explode when you open it. 

Not to mention that tears help people connect with you! If you cry, someone will see, and if they happen to care enough, they might comfort you. Probably not me, though, but I'm still working on it. But I'll give you water or juice to keep you hydrated. It just so happens when you live in an environment where you're expected to keep the fort up from a young age and mature too quickly. But that's a story for another day.

Did you know that there are up to 20 different emotions?! The addition of the new emotions to the movie Inside Out 2 was so real for adding anxiety to Riley's profile of emotions. 

Here are examples of all the emotions, but a quick and very important disclaimer! (Mainly for my overthinkers) Someone may appear to look one way but not actually feel the way that their face is showing. For example, if your friend looks upset, 1. It's more than likely not about you and 2. They could just be tired. Think of the fundamental attribution bias! 

Also remember that culture plays a lot into emotions and how each is perceived. For example, in a blog by Adriana Stein, she mentioned that Germans are actually quite reserved when it comes to laughter. For example, when a joke is made, they do not really laugh. If I hadn't known this, the embarrassment would consume me, thinking that I was not funny.

Another thing is, taking into account the Big Five Personality Traits, all emotions are correlated with different traits. For example, individuals with higher extroversion will have more positive emotions, while people with higher neurotisim will experience more negative emotions. 

Going back to what I mentioned about human connection in regards to emotions, there are important things to think about, like what if we couldn't feel compassion or guilt? We would be living robots. Emotions are important to have because if you don't actually have emotions, you probably need to get it checked out, because you're only human, and they are a necessity for human survival. 

I know I joked about feelings being icky and all that goofiness, but you are not alone. Remember that you are loved, you are smart and that there will always be help for you, when you feel comfortable getting it. 

Also! Therapy at Cal Poly SLO comes paid for in the tutition!! Use it to your advantage :)

Love,

Fatima <3