1. How do you typically manage negative emotions?
I deal with negative emotions very differently that I did when I was younger, but I still find
myself resorting to the unhealthy ways that I used to at times. The problem that I still deal with
sometimes is dwelling on negative emotions. For example, if I was to get angry or frustrated
when I was younger, I would just keep the incident going through my mind until I would just
explode or lash out physically. I bottled a lot of things inside that would eventually boil over and
explode at the times that I would least want it to, then I would have even more problems or
people that I had to apologize to afterward. I have learned some new strategies to deal with my
negative emotions these days. If I stop and count to ten, distract myself with something else but
deal with it when I calm down, I can have a clear head to think about the emotions that I was
having. Also, I have learned to let go of things that are out of my control, which has been a big
thing for me dealing with some things from my past. Going for a walk, going for a drive, or just
talking with someone when you are having the emotion has been very good for me as well.
2. How might your early experiences (within family, school, neighborhood, etc.),
gender, and cultural background have influenced your style of emotional self-
regulation?
Growing up in a home with an alcoholic father and a brother who was an addict in the south side
of Chicago was tough. I think that the things I had to deal with at that age were difficult, but I
also think it made me emotionally strong. Being a male also was also very influential, especially
with my father who made it very clear that men do not cry. Showing any kind of emotional
weakness around my father was met with anger and frustration. The experiences that I have had
have influenced my style of emotional self-regulation negatively in the past. I used to get into
fights at school, get in trouble with friends, and even with the police. I would just push my
emotions down into my stomach, and then one day it would just explode on me. But I have
learned new ways to deal with them. Nowadays I deal with things as they come, and I have gone
through my past to resolve any emotions that have caused me damage. Namely, I have learned
how to forgive, and to let things go and to accept the things that I cannot change.
3. Are you content with how you manage negative emotions? If you are content with
how you manage negative emotions, how does your management of negative
emotions serve you as well as others? If your discontent with how you manage
negative emotions, how might you change/modify your management of these
emotions in the future?
Now that I am older and have learned how to deal with my emotions properly, I am content with
the way that I manage them. One of the most important things that helps me as well as others, is
being able to set healthy boundaries with the people in my life. By setting boundaries I have
learned that not only will I have respect for myself, but others will also have respect for me too.
It used to be very hard to say “no”, but now I know what I can or cannot do. When I get
overwhelmed it causes me to be depressed and miserable very quickly, and it will quickly make
anyone around me miserable too. By making sure that I address my negative emotions myself, it
makes the people in my life want to be around me, and everyone is happier.
I deal with negative emotions very differently that I did when I was younger, but I still find
myself resorting to the unhealthy ways that I used to at times. The problem that I still deal with
sometimes is dwelling on negative emotions. For example, if I was to get angry or frustrated
when I was younger, I would just keep the incident going through my mind until I would just
explode or lash out physically. I bottled a lot of things inside that would eventually boil over and
explode at the times that I would least want it to, then I would have even more problems or
people that I had to apologize to afterward. I have learned some new strategies to deal with my
negative emotions these days. If I stop and count to ten, distract myself with something else but
deal with it when I calm down, I can have a clear head to think about the emotions that I was
having. Also, I have learned to let go of things that are out of my control, which has been a big
thing for me dealing with some things from my past. Going for a walk, going for a drive, or just
talking with someone when you are having the emotion has been very good for me as well.
2. How might your early experiences (within family, school, neighborhood, etc.),
gender, and cultural background have influenced your style of emotional self-
regulation?
Growing up in a home with an alcoholic father and a brother who was an addict in the south side
of Chicago was tough. I think that the things I had to deal with at that age were difficult, but I
also think it made me emotionally strong. Being a male also was also very influential, especially
with my father who made it very clear that men do not cry. Showing any kind of emotional
weakness around my father was met with anger and frustration. The experiences that I have had
have influenced my style of emotional self-regulation negatively in the past. I used to get into
fights at school, get in trouble with friends, and even with the police. I would just push my
emotions down into my stomach, and then one day it would just explode on me. But I have
learned new ways to deal with them. Nowadays I deal with things as they come, and I have gone
through my past to resolve any emotions that have caused me damage. Namely, I have learned
how to forgive, and to let things go and to accept the things that I cannot change.
3. Are you content with how you manage negative emotions? If you are content with
how you manage negative emotions, how does your management of negative
emotions serve you as well as others? If your discontent with how you manage
negative emotions, how might you change/modify your management of these
emotions in the future?
Now that I am older and have learned how to deal with my emotions properly, I am content with
the way that I manage them. One of the most important things that helps me as well as others, is
being able to set healthy boundaries with the people in my life. By setting boundaries I have
learned that not only will I have respect for myself, but others will also have respect for me too.
It used to be very hard to say “no”, but now I know what I can or cannot do. When I get
overwhelmed it causes me to be depressed and miserable very quickly, and it will quickly make
anyone around me miserable too. By making sure that I address my negative emotions myself, it
makes the people in my life want to be around me, and everyone is happier.
