Ever feel a wave of emotion and think, Where did that even come from?
Welp, you’re not alone.
In this week’s edition, we’re talking about the emotional triggers you never knew existed…and how to (hopefully) name them before they control you.
💡Your triggers speak. You avoid. That’s the cycle.
Best Finds from the Week:
📝 Article: “Name It to Tame It: Label Your Emotions to Overcome Negative Thoughts”: This creates a healthy distance from the reaction and allows your body to self-regulate.
📝 Article: “Triggers”: Implement proactive strategies like stress reduction, boundaries, and support networks, alongside reactive techniques like grounding and timeouts.
🎥 Video: “The Easiest Way to Manage Your Emotions”:You can go for a walk, journal, cook, or some space to be able to decompress your emotions!!
Deep Dive - 3 Ideas & Tips…
1️⃣ Big Idea #1: Your Brain’s Emotional “Shortcuts”
Your brain loves efficiency—it doesn’t analyze every situation from scratch. Instead, it uses shortcuts (called heuristics) to decide how you feel.
These shortcuts are often shaped by past experiences.
1️⃣ Little Idea #1: That gut reaction you had to your boss’s email? Probably more about your high school teacher’s harsh feedback than what your boss actually said.
1️⃣ Practical Tip #1: Next time you feel triggered, pause and ask yourself: “Is this about now or something old?”
Naming the source can instantly lower the emotional charge.
2️⃣ Big Idea #2: The Hidden Triggers of Unmet Needs
Every emotion points to a need—met or unmet. Anger? Often about boundaries. Sadness? Likely linked to loss or disconnection.
Your triggers are breadcrumb trails leading to what you care about most.
2️⃣ Little Idea #2: When your emotions feel “too much,” they’re likely tied to a need you’re not addressing.
2️⃣ Practical Tip #2: Try the “Need Inventory”: When you’re upset, ask, “What need feels ignored right now?
Safety, connection, autonomy, or something else?” Write it down. Clarity is step one to action.
3️⃣ Big Idea #3: Emotional Residue Is Real
Ever snap at someone for no reason? Emotional residue builds up when past triggers linger in your system.
Think of it as emotional clutter—it doesn’t take much to tip you over when you’re carrying a full load.
3️⃣ Little Idea #3: Triggers aren’t always about the moment. They’re about the accumulation of unprocessed emotions.
3️⃣ Practical Tip #3: Use a nightly “Emotional Reset.” Before bed, jot down what bothered you today.
Even 3 minutes of reflection can clear emotional residue and give you a fresh start tomorrow.
🧨 Your anger isn’t about the email…it’s about the 10,000 tiny cuts you ignored before reading it.
Coffee Chat Questions ☕️
What’s one moment recently where my reaction felt bigger than the situation? What might that say about a deeper need or past experience?
When I feel ‘off’ but can’t name the emotion, what would happen if I just described the physical sensation instead?
How often do I give myself space to reflect on my emotions before acting on them? What’s one way I can create more pause?
So…?
You’re not your triggers, BUT you are responsible for noticing them.
Understanding these hidden emotional drivers isn’t just self-awareness, it’s self-empowerment.
When you’re ready, here’s how I can help:
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Real Talk: What’s your vibe after reading this?
🕳 Triggers are your brain’s lazy shortcut for survival. Too bad they’re usually outdated by, oh, 20 years.
Gain clarity and control with self-awareness.
Hit reply and share with me, what’s a trigger you’ve started to notice recently?
Let’s talk about it.
-D (just some person behind Mindflow)
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