Thankful Thursday #38

I tend to be an emotional person. This isn't extraordinary by any means. It tends to be common among "creative" types. Not that I'm so creative, more introverted. But people that like to be alone, read, do some form of art, participate in music are much more likely to be emotional.

Examples:

I always feel so bad for Charlie Brown that it makes my chest hurt a little.

Hallmark commercials rip my heart out and stomp on it.

Hallmark Hall of Fame movies - same thing.

So yeah, I'm emotional. And sometimes being empathetic is a good thing. I can celebrate with others earnestly but I can also cry with them just as easily.

But in my 34+ years on this earth, I've learned that being emotional is not helpful when trying to make decisions. Decisions at work, about money, about my future - looking at these through an emotional lens will always distort reality. Leading me down a path of u-turns, anxiety and stress.

I'm slowly but surely learning to be objective in my thought processes. To take a step back, take a deep breath and ask, what is really going on here? Will being emotional help? No. What will help? This action.

And it's as easy as that. Sometimes. Not all of the time. Being able to step back and think is often the hardest part of my day. But I feel so much better when I do.

Today I'm thankful for learning to be objective as I approach decisions in my life. I still feel. Deeply. But my feelings are not taking the lead anymore.