Controlling your Emotions - A Lesson from Harry Potter

Have you ever felt like your brain was a pressure cooker, with anger and frustration building up until it's ready to explode? I can relate.

A scene from the Harry Potter movies has always stuck with me - Snape teaching Harry Occlumency, a technique that helps him to control his emotions and prevent Voldemort from messing with his mind. "Control your emotions. Discipline your mind," he said. I still think this is the hardest lesson Harry ever had.

Life is tough, with small irritations and bigger issues alike. Whether it's a difficult conversation with a colleague, the ongoing construction near your home, or the fact that Hong Kong would never be the same, it's easy to feel like the world is against you.

While we may not be able to change the world around us (admit it - you could never enhance the intelligence of the one colleague you hate), with practice, we can control our own thoughts and emotions.

In this crazy world,  Occlumency might be ever more important.

Learning to not act upon your emotions is invaluable. It can be tempting to say the first thing that comes to mind or let your anger get the best of you. Don't - a brief lapse can do serious harm to ourselves and those around us.

Instead, slow down. Control the thing which you can - the breath (which I believe you could, otherwise you won't be here.) Taking a deep breath and giving yourself a few seconds to think can make all the difference. Try to identify succinctly your feeling and describe it in your mid. Sometimes, just putting those feelings into words can help to release some of the tension and let yourself know that those problems are solvable.

I try to think of my mind as a blue sky, and my negative thoughts and emotions as black clouds and storms. The blue sky is always there, but sometimes it can be difficult to see it through the clouds. And just as storms come and go, our negative emotions will fade in time.

If you're struggling to control your emotions, know that you're not alone. It's a challenge we all face. Take a deep breath, give yourself time to think, and remember that you're in control.

And if you find this post helpful, share it with a friend who might be going through a tough time.

How emotionally intelligent are you? Do you have any tips on better controlling our emotions? Comment below and let me know!