4 Indicators of Emotional Maturity According to a Harvard Psychologist
Depression has become the most prevalent cause of disability worldwide, surpassing both cancer and heart disease to claim the top position. This rise is attributed to the immense complexity of modern life, where technological advancements have surpassed our psychological coping abilities. Consequently, the ability to be at peace with oneself has become an essential skill for maintaining functionality and stability in today’s world.
Society often promotes the idea that emotions are negative and should be controlled, advocating for constant positive thinking. When feelings of sadness, anxiety, or frustration arise, there is a tendency to quickly deem them negative and attempt to suppress them. However, experience shows that pushing emotions aside is ineffective. Echoing Sigmund Freud’s sentiment, repressed emotions don’t vanish; they resurface in more destructive forms.
Dr. Susan David, in a conversation with Tom Bilyeu on Impact Theory, emphasizes that emotions are evolutionary tools that aid in adaptation and survival. Understanding the information conveyed by emotions is crucial for moving forward effectively. Emotions, whether perceived as good or bad, are often just the psyche performing its function, which is to create a functional and coherent individual in the world.
Non-Judgmental Towards Emotions
A mother instinctively prioritizes the sound of her baby crying over background noise, such as a washing machine, because her psychology has conditioned her to respond in this manner. Emotional reactions are the brain’s way of processing environmental stimuli and making sense of it. For example, boredom at work could indicate a value for learning that is not being met, and parental guilt might reflect a value for presence and connectedness that is lacking. Dr. Susan David suggests that understanding the emotions and the values they signify can aid in adaptation.
How individuals attend to their inner world—thoughts, emotions, and personal narratives—dictates everything about them, including career paths, relationships, and leadership styles. Success is often discussed in terms of external factors like goal setting and discipline, but without internal harmony, success is either elusive or fraught with emotional complications.
Gentle Acceptance of Emotions
In a culture that labels some emotions as negative, it’s crucial to move past this mindset and practice gentle acceptance. Dr. Susan David advocates for self-compassion, which involves understanding one’s emotions rather than punishing oneself for them. Viktor Frankl, in “Man’s Search For Meaning,” highlights that the space between stimulus and response is where one’s power to choose, grow, and attain freedom lies. Dispensing with the notion that certain emotions are unacceptable and viewing them as thoughts or stories rather than facts can facilitate gentle acceptance.
Emotion Granularity
Dr. Susan David points out that broad labels like “I’m stressed” are often insufficient to describe true feelings. Granular emotional labeling, such as distinguishing between stress and disappointment, can clarify the actual cause of the emotion and prompt steps towards improvement. For instance, “I’m stressed” could be more accurately expressed as dissatisfaction with one’s job or a feeling of being unsupported. Accurate emotional labeling, as studies on children have shown, leads to better long-term outcomes and self-control.
Emotions as Value Signposts
Strong emotions typically arise from deeply held values, and Dr. Susan David encourages slowing down during intense emotional experiences to reflect on the values they reveal. Recognizing emotions as indicators of personal values is crucial, as internal conflict and mental distress often stem from value conflicts rather than negative emotions alone. Connecting with one’s values aligns with one’s internal compass and clarifies personal desires, serving as a safeguard against burnout.
Concluding Thoughts
Emotional courage or mental strength is not about avoiding negative feelings but about facing emotions with compassion and curiosity, even when they are uncomfortable. The pursuit of absolute peace is an illusion that hinders the ability to cope with challenging emotions. As Dr. Susan David told Tom Bilyeu, only those who are no longer alive never experience stress, anger, agitation, or fear. Embracing discomfort is the cost of a meaningful life, so when intense emotions arise, gently accept them, label them with precision, and explore the insights they provide.