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Why do emotions fluctuate between good and bad?

emotions disappointment oscillation arrogance self-doubt calmness praise blame Buddhism
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Why do emotions fluctuate between good and bad? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

After a few days of happiness, emotions always seem to fall into a state of disappointment. Moreover, there's a constant oscillation between arrogance and self-doubt. How can one practice and attain that state of calmness amidst praise and blame, or the awareness in Buddhism?

Claire Reed Claire Reed A total of 536 people have been helped

Hello, question asker! I'm so honored to answer your question. From your description, I admire that you have such high expectations of yourself. It's totally normal for our emotions to fluctuate because they're affected by the environment.

Our emotions are always changing, and so is our environment. It's a two-way street!

Our bodies are amazing! They help us to feel and express our emotions. There are four main emotions that we experience: joy, anger, sorrow, and fear. These emotions are influenced by different things in our environment. They help us to respond to what's going on around us in a way that's good for our physical and mental health.

Our cortex and cortical tissue in the limbic system of our brain help us to think and reason. These parts of our brain develop more slowly than the brain stem system. This means that when we are babies, we show more emotional reactions. As we grow up, our bodies and minds gradually mature. We then start to respond more rationally and with understanding.

Psychological development also has a certain process. Generally, a complete social self only gradually begins to take shape after adolescence. As we gradually accumulate social experience, we become more confident in our dealings with the outside world. We can gradually reach the realm of being indifferent to leaving or staying, and unperturbed by praise or blame. This is a wonderful place to be! Perhaps this realm is the goal that many people strive for throughout their lives. I am happy to have an appointment. 1983. The world and I love you!

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Carson Carson A total of 93 people have been helped

One should cease to concern oneself with honors and humiliations and maintain composure. This state may already be highly perceptive, allowing one to view one's own life in an open and natural manner. This state of equanimity bears resemblance to a Buddhist state of not being attached to material things or distressed by one's own misfortunes.

It is evident that there are numerous individuals in the general population who appear to embody a state of Buddhist philosophy, particularly among the younger and middle-aged demographic. This may be attributed to the fact that modern life is often perceived as being exceedingly stressful, to the extent that even the most strenuous efforts seem to yield minimal results. Consequently, many of these individuals adopt a detached and indifferent attitude, which can be observed in their approach to academic pursuits and professional endeavors.

Why do emotions fluctuate between positive and negative states?

The experience of sustained positive affect may lead to a subsequent decline in mood after a brief period.

The individual may oscillate between feelings of arrogance and inferiority. They may also exhibit a lack of indifference to praise or blame.

Fluctuations

One should strive to achieve a state of ease and tranquility.

This form of Buddhism is preferable to the attitudes of detachment or lying flat. It can partially engage with one's own role, yet it can also reasonably distribute energy so that one does not become excessively invested in the situation, thereby achieving peace.

It is advisable to reduce fluctuations and increase ease of mind. It is similarly advisable to avoid becoming unduly concerned.

It is often observed that an excessive focus on external factors can result in fluctuations in emotional state.

To live a carefree life, one must be willing to relinquish certain possessions and obligations.

Buddhists often engage in a practice known as "giving up," which involves relinquishing something from their daily lives. This is seen as a way of reducing their material possessions and attachments to worldly desires, thereby achieving a state of freedom and inner peace.

The modern world is replete with material desires, which can result in the gradual loss of one's initial aspirations. It is therefore essential to achieve a state of equilibrium, to discern the circumstances that one can truly confront, and to comprehend the underlying motivations behind the pursuit of equanimity in the face of praise and criticism.

Are you lacking in grace in your personal and professional lives? Your unease makes it challenging for you to maintain composure. This is a deeply ingrained habit that requires a significant period of letting go and a subtraction model to fully undo. As an example, consider your mobile phone usage habits.

One may consider reducing unnecessary software, duplicate software, unnecessary mobile phone usage time, certain online behaviors, and unnecessary items, such as clothes. If one is unable to wear or utilize these items, they may be donated to those in need.

Furthermore, this can assist in maintaining a clear and calm state of mind. It is evident that an individual's desire for material possessions can potentially lead to external influences exerting control over their actions. This phenomenon can be observed as a fundamental law. Additionally, it is possible to examine the underlying causes of such occurrences, including the presence of unresolved internal issues that may contribute to a lack of emotional stability. Mindfulness practices can be a valuable tool in this regard. As a seasoned mindfulness coach and psychology author, I recommend exploring the following resources for further insight and guidance: "The Psychology of Things: 25 Secret Words Hidden in Everyone's Heart," "Loneliness is a Kind of Freedom," and "One Day One Charity."

Please clarify the question.

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Chloe Chloe A total of 5536 people have been helped

Hello, question asker!

From the question, I can tell the questioner wants to learn how to regulate their emotions.

Even a mosquito can demonstrate that the poster is aware of themselves. It is also possible to be an observer, to step outside of one's own thinking and accept possible changes, to release one's own stress, and to adjust one's emotional state. Our emotional state is often a result of what we have experienced during the day.

It's a state that's difficult to control and regulate.

There are three situations in our lives. One is to resist, fear, judge, or be stubborn and choose a better direction. This will result in different feelings and awareness.

The solution to our emotional state is to be aware of ourselves. This makes each of us responsible for our actions and attitudes. Everyone should be listened to and recognized. You can do this in your life. You can also use psychological counseling to make yourself more aware of yourself and reconcile with your inner self.

Life is a mirror. What you see is what you get.

Our thoughts, emotions, actions, and entire bodies and minds are full of energy. This means that whatever we are afraid of, reject, or resist actually has energy. When we give energy, we must recognize that emotional fluctuations make us afraid to reject or resist, as if there is feedback and retribution in life. There are two points to remember: no matter what you are afraid of, you will attract the things you fear; no matter what you love, you will also bring it to you. Our emotions are neither good nor bad. To be free from constraints, it depends on how you think.

You create yourself based on your thoughts and how you respond to life's challenges. Accept the emotional ups and downs in our lives and take action.

Paying attention to your own inner feelings is the key to noticing when you are feeling a certain way so that you can face your emotions head on and find a solution.

I am Yingying, Counselor.

The world loves you.

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Stella Thompson Stella Thompson A total of 4936 people have been helped

Hello, landlord. I understand your feelings. You're in a painful moment. I hope my sharing can help you.

When you're feeling down, motivate yourself.

We all want to be unique, have a good job, a happy family, and everything good in life. We work hard for it.

Reality is harsh. It makes people want to give up and shows us the ugly side of life. Some people can't get back up after being knocked down, while others keep going.

In the real world, you have to know what you can do and what you can't.

Why do people feel lost?

If you have unreasonable hopes, you will be disappointed. If you overestimate yourself and have hopes that exceed your abilities, you will be disappointed. Like bubbles, these hopes will burst, and you will feel a sense of loss. You will feel disheartened by your failures or setbacks. You will lose your energy and feel like you can't do anything. You will lose your curiosity and fighting spirit. You will feel like there is no point in doing anything.

Victor Hugo said, "Your thoughts can make heaven seem like hell and hell seem like heaven."

In life and at work, setbacks and failures are inevitable.

We need to strengthen our mental energy and learn to motivate ourselves when we feel negative emotions.

Self-motivation is about getting yourself to do what you need to do to achieve your goals. It helps you to get out of a low mood by making you want to achieve results.

How do you motivate yourself?

Play an active role to motivate yourself.

Loss is a feeling that comes when you're in a low mood. It's often caused by role misplacement. To overcome this low mood, realize that your current role may not be the best. Only by maintaining enthusiasm, actively playing the role, and constantly improving can you achieve your expectations.

Second, we can use struggle to feel fulfilled and overcome loss.

We must imagine, think, and act to reinvent ourselves.

In real life, we have to work hard to overcome problems. But we can still find happiness in our imagination.

We can't control the real world, but we can control our imagination.

Your imagination affects your happiness. When you're feeling down, give yourself time to relax and think positively.

I hope this helps.

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Edward Edward A total of 1697 people have been helped

Dear Questioner, Thank you for your inquiry.

After reviewing your inquiry, I am interested in discussing it further.

1. Please describe the rationale behind the cyclical nature of emotions.

In regard to the inquiry, "Why do emotions always fluctuate up and down? Emotions are always happy for a few days and then seem to be lost,"

From your description, it is evident that you possess the capacity for introspective reflection on your emotions. However, it appears that you perceive a distinction between positive and negative emotions.

It is important to note that there is no such thing as a "good" or "bad" emotion. Each emotion has its own inherent value and deserves to be seen, understood, and accepted.

It is simple to understand how, when we are focused on positive emotions, we can inadvertently avoid negative ones.

It is essential to accept and feel all emotions in order to maintain a smooth flow. Refusing to experience negative emotions hinders this flow, leading to the suppression of painful feelings into the subconscious.

One potential manifestation is an inexplicable shift in mood. To gain deeper insight, the questioner may benefit from spending time with themselves when this occurs. Identifying and naming these emotions can facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of oneself.

2. Regarding the fluctuating emotions between pride and inferiority.

Indeed, the majority of individuals will encounter this aspect of the experience, which is characterised by a fluctuating sense of superiority and inferiority.

Our entire lives can be defined by a constant tension between inferiority and transcendence. The key is whether we are willing to embrace this dichotomy.

In essence, both inferiority and superiority are forms of inferiority. Inferiority has its own value and is a gift from our ancestors. It was precisely because of inferiority that our ancestors were able to continuously innovate and optimize their abilities and skills, and thus evolve in nature and perpetuate the human race.

Therefore, inferiority has intrinsic value and has been preserved in our genes.

3. Regarding indifference to praise and humiliation, as well as the Buddhist concept of self-awareness.

This state of mind is, in fact, an idealized state. It is possible to achieve this state of mind by constantly cultivating oneself, improving self-awareness, and gradually maturing one's mind.

It is important to note that requiring individuals to maintain a state of equanimity and self-awareness at all times may be perceived as a form of omnipotent narcissism, particularly when based on an imaginary level of performance. This approach may not align with the reality of the individual's capabilities.

It is inevitable that the state of being true to oneself will be imperfect in some way. The only way to accept these imperfections is to gradually achieve a state of peace and tranquility.

I hope the above responses are beneficial to you. Best regards, [Name]

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Riley Samson Williams Riley Samson Williams A total of 3663 people have been helped

Hello, host!

I know how hard it is to feel down, and I want to give you a big hug. I've had several experiences talking with people who are suffering from depression, and I understand how it feels to be depressed.

Even at the worst of times, you may feel that everything has a negative impact. For example, you may feel very lonely when listening to a cheerful song, or feel that the bright sunshine is burning you, etc. This can put you in a state where you feel that there is nothing to live for, which is totally understandable! Then, as your mood continues to decline, your thoughts will also become increasingly low.

I just gave you a quick overview of my own experience with feeling down. So, what exactly is this feeling of low mood? And what causes it?

Let's start by talking about what depression is. It's a feeling of heaviness in the heart, worrying all day long, and a sad and worried expression. You feel anxious and frustrated, sighing with regret, pessimistic and disappointed, and find life boring.

It's totally normal to feel bad about yourself sometimes. We all have days like that! But if you're feeling tired and listless, have low self-esteem or self-blame, or even a sense of guilt, it might be time to make a few changes.

So let's dive in and explore the nature of emotions together. Once we understand this, we can then discuss what might cause a depressed mood. There are three main reasons for a depressed mood: first, there are psychological reasons, such as a naturally melancholy personality, or the influence of one's parents' personalities, which can also lead to a depressed mood; second, there are social factors, such as dissatisfaction at work, excessive stress, interpersonal conflicts, a bad relationship with one's leader, etc.; and third, there are biological reasons, such as those caused by blood pressure medication, hormone medication, or antibiotics.

Once you understand this, we can get back to the topic at hand. To change, you have to know yourself well enough to understand why you are depressed. As the saying goes, "Everything that happens is a combination of countless little things."

Then the first thing the host should do is face himself and find the root of the problem. After all, only treating the root is the best result. Then, after understanding yourself, you should make adjustments and changes to address the real problem. The first thing is to change your perception. The host may be curious about why you should change your perception, and that's okay!

Let's look at an example together. Imagine two people are reading a book on a park bench when suddenly, they're both sprayed in the face with water by a child with a water pistol. How would you think they'd react? One might get really upset, saying the child is ill-mannered. Or, they might already be feeling angry but just look sullen. The other person might just smile and not take it seriously. Or, they might already be playing with the child.

It's so interesting how two people can encounter the same thing but have different results! It all depends on perception. Everyone perceives differently, which naturally creates different results in the world. The second thing to think about is finding the meaning of life. There are so many meanings of life, such as family, friendship, love, or a sense of accomplishment and happiness.

You know, the only way to make every morning an exciting day, full of energy, is to find your own circle, your own hobbies, and even plan your own dreams! And the third thing you can do is go to more lively places and travel to some beautiful surroundings to relax or exercise more.

Dear Landlord, I hope you find these suggestions helpful! They're based on my personal experiences and opinions.

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Finley Shaw Finley Shaw A total of 3605 people have been helped

Hello, landlord. I hope my answer is helpful to you.

It's actually normal for people's moods to ebb and flow, fluctuating up and down. This is what's known as the psychological pendulum effect.

It's true that our psychology has ups and downs. Like the waves of the sea, our emotions rise and fall, often following a certain pattern.

This change always swings back and forth between the two poles of the mind, which is what creates the psychological pendulum effect.

How you generate the psychological pendulum effect is closely related to whether you have a bipolar personality.

Some people's personalities have two very obvious poles. One moment they're ecstatic, the next they're serene. One moment they're passionate, the next they're disheartened. One moment they're happy, the next they're crying. One moment they love, the next they hate. Such people are particularly prone to the psychological pendulum effect.

The psychological pendulum effect is linked to the difference between the environment and the role. Psychologists say that human emotions are made up of lots of different feelings that change depending on what's going on around us.

Every emotion has a different level, and there's always an opposing emotional state, like love and hate, joy and sorrow.

If you're feeling really strongly about something, it's easier to switch to the opposite emotional state.

What's the best way to handle the psychological pendulum effect?

1. We need to adjust our perceptions.

It's important to recognize that life isn't always high-paced and positive. There are times when things come together and times when they fall apart. There's joy and there's suffering.

Some people always reject the ordinary state of life and can't handle pain and adversity because they're hoping to live in an ideal realm of passion, romance, and excitement forever. It's only natural that their moods will fluctuate greatly due to changes in their living environment.

2. We need to learn to enjoy the different pleasures of different life situations.

You can experience the passionate exuberance of exciting activities, enjoy the leisurely joy of life in the ordinary, daily routine, and feel the various flavors of life in the states of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

This is the best way to avoid feeling totally lost and overwhelmed when things change.

3. Learn to manage your emotions better.

When we're in a happy and exciting phase, it's important to stay calm and clear-headed.

When you're feeling down, try not to dwell on the "exciting images" of your high. Instead, focus on what's around you and do things that will calm your mind or boost your spirits.

On top of that, we need to understand that:

1. There's no such thing as good or bad emotions. Learn to get along with them.

Emotions are basically just short-lived, intense reactions to how our needs match up with what's going on around us. They're a mix of how we feel, what our bodies are doing, and how we perceive things, and they show up as specific behaviors. Put simply, emotions pop up whenever we have an unmet internal need.

There's no such thing as a good or bad emotion. In psychology, emotions are usually divided into positive and negative. Positive emotions include happiness, pleasure, optimism, confidence, satisfaction, and relaxation. Negative emotions include anxiety, tension, anger, depression, sadness, and pain. The "pendulum effect" of emotions describes the phenomenon of positive and negative emotions swinging back and forth.

It's not realistic to expect our emotions to always be positive. Negative emotions are unavoidable. Our emotions will always swing between the two poles.

We can be mindful of our different emotions, accept that we'll have different or even opposite feelings, and in a relatively safe environment, express our feelings, understand the differences in relationships, and try to find a better way to get along, rather than just letting our emotions out.

So, when it comes to work or life in general, it's important to be able to accept failure and imperfection. After all, every experience teaches us something, and that's how we can create a successful and happy future.

People who don't understand this truth will complain about the many things in life that they don't like because problems always keep popping up. People who understand this truth will keep improving, enjoy life, be optimistic, and be confident.

2. Avoiding a problem won't solve it. You need to find the upside to the downside.

The pendulum effect shows us that when we feel less negative, we feel less positive too. It's like a pendulum: the amplitude of oscillation on the left and right sides is always the same.

So, when people try to block out negative emotions, they also block out positive ones. They lose their sense of humor and don't feel anything when they watch sad movies.

He's unable to experience external emotions like laughter and sadness. This is what we call "emotional isolation" in psychology.

In the short term, this is fine, but if it continues for a long time, it will be damaging. Bad things won't hurt you, but neither will good things bring you joy, happiness, and satisfaction.

This situation is like a pendulum. If it swings high on the left and high on the right, and then low on the left and low on the right, over time the pendulum will stop swinging and remain motionless in the middle. Once this psychological protective wall collapses, powerful emotions of chaos will arise.

So, we can't always avoid negative emotions, but we can find the positive meaning and function in them and make them work for us. It's not worth sacrificing many wonderful feelings in life to escape a "pain."

As a matter of fact, you can transform every emotion into a positive driving force.

Anxiety is a bit like the flashing "low fuel" warning light in a car. It brings us bad feelings, but it's just a reminder that we need to refuel or stop before we run out of fuel.

A single mother is restless because a colleague laid off. She's anxious because she's afraid of being laid off too, and worried about her ability to provide a good life for her child.

The point is, this worry is there to make her realize that either she needs to work harder, learn more skills, or even find more escape routes. Put simply, anxiety is here to remind her to be vigilant in times of peace.

Another example is anger, which is a tense and unpleasant emotion caused when your actions are frustrated. It's like water in a closed pipe that you suppress here but which will bubble up elsewhere.

This is why a lot of parents who are frustrated at work get angry with their kids when they're doing their homework. The kids are innocent and they regret it afterwards.

When you feel angry, it's okay to let it out. Once you've released your emotions, you'll be able to help your child with their homework in a calm and collected manner, which will lead to a more harmonious relationship with your child.

From a psychological perspective, bad moods are our body's way of responding to external challenges. They're like a defense mechanism that helps us cope with the world around us. So, bad moods aren't as bad as we think. If we can learn to embrace them, they can actually be beneficial.

Wishing you the best!

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Comments

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Ernie Thomas A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.

I feel you on this one. Life's ups and downs can really take a toll on us. To find that calm center, maybe we should look into mindfulness practices or meditation to help steady our emotions.

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Martin Miller Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them.

Embracing both the highs and lows as part of life might be key here. Trying to see these feelings not as good or bad but as experiences that shape us could lead to greater inner peace. Also, delving into Buddhist teachings might offer some guidance.

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Kinsley Douglas Be as good as your word and your word will be as good as gold.

The struggle between confidence and doubt is real. Finding balance could involve accepting all parts of ourselves. By exploring philosophies like Buddhism, which emphasize nonattachment, we might learn to remain unperturbed by external judgments, whether positive or negative.

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