A New Perspective on Emotions!

A former student sent me this short video a few weeks ago and after watching it once, I knew it would be a journal activity. Give this 30 second video a watch!

I believe the words we use to talk to ourselves are powerful and that we should be intentional about the words we choose to use. The Irish language provides us a much better perspective on our emotions that our typically English language does.

1. I AM SAD. Think about what this simple little phrase actually means. It has a tone of permanence. This is what I am and this is what I will always be. Our emotions are never permanent, but the way we talk about them doesn’t represent that truth.

2. SADNESS IS ON ME. This type of language about our emotions represents the truth that while I’m dealing with sadness right now, in time I will take it off. It is not something will always be on me, it is just on me in this moment. There is so much more hope when we talk about our emotions, especially unhelpful ones, in this way.

Let’s apply this same thought to how I hear students, athletes, and even adults regularly talk about other unhelpful emotions.

I AM SCARED. 444FEAR IS ON ME.

I HAVE ANXIETY. 444ANXIETY IS ON ME.

I AM WORRIED. 444DOUBT IS ON ME.

I SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION. 444DEPRESSION IS ON ME.

I AM ANGRY. 444ANGER IS ON ME.

JOURNAL ACTIVITY

Identify 3-5 unhelpful emotions that you tend to experience when it comes to your sport or activity?

How would you benefit from applying this new perspective to those emotions?