Emotions are important human experiences (duh). But what even are emotions? There are huge long books written on the subject, based on complicated research I'll never understand. But they always point to emotions being composed of several processes. Physiological, mental. Conscious and unconscious. No single emotion, like sadness, is one consistent "thing". They're sometimes strikingly familiar, but never the same twice.
It's important to note that we're not our emotions. How could we be, if they're not even a consistent, solid thing? And we don't have to be so affected by our emotions. They're experiences that have roots in our bodies and minds. So we lend them life, in a way. Sometimes it's unavoidable. Being human, existing as we do. Emotions will happen. But it's possible to investigate these emotions. Try to discover what makes them come about, what happens once they're here, and what sort of relationship we have with them.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: crazzyass on October 12, 2014, 05:28:10 pm
The emotions are mostly a physiological response that should technically have some helpful function. Responding to a given stimuli with sadness or anger or fear should help you in some way from an evolutionary biology perspective. When those responses get out of whack is when problems arise, of course.
So I think recognizing the emotions as a sort of "emergency quick-response" from your body and processing them as such definitely helps manage them. And you can learn a fuck-ton about yourself from how you respond to a given situation.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: equanimity on October 12, 2014, 05:32:35 pm
The emotions are mostly a physiological response that should technically have some helpful function. Responding to a given stimuli with sadness or anger or fear should help you in some way from an evolutionary biology perspective. When those responses get out of whack is when problems arise, of course.
So I think recognizing the emotions as a sort of "emergency quick-response" from your body and processing them as such definitely helps manage them. And you can learn a fuck-ton about yourself from how you respond to a given situation.
Of course. In many instances, there is actually a moment of decision when it comes to the emotional experience. It always seems like a knee-jerk reaction that just happens, but if you're quiet and calm you might notice the instant of choice.
That's what I'm told by people wiser than me, anyway.
Be like the tiger. Silently perceiving, sizing up the situation. Making the slow decision to carefully act when the time is right. Peel back those layers of thoughts. Consider the stories you tell yourself, why you tell them, how they affect you. Be gentle, and think honestly. This is no time for shame.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: helladamnleet on October 12, 2014, 05:34:38 pm
I don't understand. Is this where we shitpost then? I never have been on Half Baked. Ever.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: crazzyass on October 12, 2014, 05:35:06 pm
The emotions are mostly a physiological response that should technically have some helpful function. Responding to a given stimuli with sadness or anger or fear should help you in some way from an evolutionary biology perspective. When those responses get out of whack is when problems arise, of course.
So I think recognizing the emotions as a sort of "emergency quick-response" from your body and processing them as such definitely helps manage them. And you can learn a fuck-ton about yourself from how you respond to a given situation.
Of course. In many instances, there is actually a moment of decision when it comes to the emotional experience. It always seems like a knee-jerk reaction that just happens, but if you're quiet and calm you might notice the instant of choice.
That's what I'm told by people wiser than me, anyway.
Agreed. And the choice you make seems to be irreversible in the sense that you will sort of forever associate that event with the given emotion. You can't turn it off once you've accepted it.
Of course, there are other coping strategies past that point. But yeah. ~self-knowledge~ is great.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: equanimity on October 12, 2014, 05:44:47 pm
But it's so romantic, the relationship with sadness. He's good to you, and you respond disdainfully. There are fights, and sometimes they turn violent. You kick and scream and want out, as he turns cold and apathetic.
You love one another, and you'll always find your way back into his familiar embrace.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: RisiR on October 12, 2014, 05:45:18 pm
This is water.
I'll just post this in every thread where it's relevant.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: equanimity on October 12, 2014, 05:52:34 pm
I'll just post this in every thread where it's relevant.
This is just that obvious truth I was trying to express. And it's interesting when he claims that everyone is self-centered. That's largely true in individualistic societies, but not really the case in the more collective. Also wtf is up with that music at the end? cringe.
I was thinking about suicide again today. It's really scary. You remember what it feels like. Family members describing how they came home, to find her hanging in the garage. The confusing feelings of anger and guilt. Knowing you'll never see them again, and feeling that loneliness cut you deep. Seeing the people around you fall to pieces at their own loss, and not knowing who to reach out to for help. More guilt. Always the guilt.
It's so frightening, thinking that you might someday cause that very same pain. You don't want to. It's selfish, and so ugly. The absolute worst of you. But a part of you nonetheless. An awful, nagging piece of who you are that you're not even allowed to share with the world. You're horrified that it exists, concerned at how powerful it seems in relation to the rest of you, and very ashamed for being this way.
Sometimes I'm weak :(
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: RisiR on October 12, 2014, 10:01:37 pm
It's funny how that David Wallace guy ended up killing himself
It truly is.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: RisiR on October 12, 2014, 10:15:22 pm
equanimity, you need to get out of that mindset. You are aware, so choose. Get away from those thoughts.
I think you are bi-polar. You have to make up that Utopian fantasy everything-is-love-world because you're so full of self-hate and guilt that you need that fantasy world where cats don't eat your face and the whole world celebrates polygamous homos to escape to because in a world where everything is love and love always wins the same goes for you and you'll be loved and the love wins over your self-hatred.
The good thing is that you don't need that fantasy world, you just think you do. If you are aware of that, and stay aware, you can choose your thoughts and therefor your emotions. It's easier said than done, though.
More than look on your journey. ;)
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: starvingniglet on October 12, 2014, 10:28:10 pm
equanimity, you need to get out of that mindset. You are aware, so choose. Get away from those thoughts.
I think you are bi-polar. You have to make up that Utopian fantasy everything-is-love-world because you're so full of self-hate and guilt that you need that fantasy world where cats don't eat your face and the whole world celebrates polygamous homos to escape to because in a world where everything is love and love always wins the same goes for you and you'll be loved and the love wins over your self-hatred.
The good thing is that you don't need that fantasy world, you just think you do. If you are aware of that, and stay aware, you can choose your thoughts and therefor your emotions. It's easier said than done, though.
More than look on your journey. ;)
Yeah, and we are here to make fun of you until you leave that teletubby mindset behind you, in your youth where it belongs.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: Suicidal Fish on October 12, 2014, 10:55:38 pm
I am calling Attention Seeker on OP
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: equanimity on October 12, 2014, 11:05:41 pm
You're so nice RisiR! Who knew you had it in you? ;)
You're right. I have the insight, or at least I'm well on my way. Now is the time to stop hurting myself, and make that conscious choice that leads me toward freedom. Thank you so much.
equanimity, you need to get out of that mindset. You are aware, so choose. Get away from those thoughts.
I think you are bi-polar. You have to make up that Utopian fantasy everything-is-love-world because you're so full of self-hate and guilt that you need that fantasy world where cats don't eat your face and the whole world celebrates polygamous homos to escape to because in a world where everything is love and love always wins the same goes for you and you'll be loved and the love wins over your self-hatred.
The good thing is that you don't need that fantasy world, you just think you do. If you are aware of that, and stay aware, you can choose your thoughts and therefor your emotions. It's easier said than done, though.
More than look on your journey. ;)
Yeah, and we are here to make fun of you until you leave that teletubby mindset behind you, in your youth where it belongs.
What you guys don't get is that it's not a "teletubby mindset". That's me at my very best, professing the inherent goodness of existence and insisting upon the powerful forces of kindness and understanding. It's a very worthwhile exercise, and one I struggle with when I'm depressed.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: RisiR on October 12, 2014, 11:20:03 pm
You're so nice RisiR! Who knew you had it in you? ;)
You're right. I have the insight, or at least I'm well on my way. Now is the time to stop hurting myself, and make that conscious choice that leads me toward freedom. Thank you so much.
I hope for you that wasn't sarcasm.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: equanimity on October 12, 2014, 11:54:42 pm
Of course it wasn't :/
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: RisiR on October 12, 2014, 11:58:14 pm
Ok fuck you. I'm done wasting my time on you.
Title: Re: Sadness is my boyfirend
Post by: starvingniglet on October 13, 2014, 05:56:47 pm
What you guys don't get is that it's not a "teletubby mindset". That's me at my very best, professing the inherent goodness of existence and insisting upon the powerful forces of kindness and understanding. It's a very worthwhile exercise, and one I struggle with when I'm depressed.