Emotions are not meaningless reactions to what is happening, but a very important way of interacting with the world. Our emotions have a practical functionality, behind each emotion there is a need to satisfy which we need. Imagine that your emotions are a picture with colored threads, which you need to pay a little attention to in order to understand exactly where each thread leads. All these threads are the spectrum of our sensory perception. If we are talking about emotional deficit, then we can imagine faded threads that have not been given attention for a long time and seem to be turned off, but this is not so. The development of emotional intelligence does not involve “freeing yourself” from emotions, but exploring and understanding them. It is the understanding of emotions that gives us real control over our feelings, and not a volitional act of suppression. Self-discovery involves gently unraveling the layers of life stories that contribute to emotional imbalance. Our emotions help us build closer connections with others. They really are some intermediate component between instinctive reactions and rational thinking. The ability to understand our emotions and the emotions of other people makes us more communicative and emotionally stable in the communication process. Emotional resilience involves the ability to be there for someone when they are going through intense emotional experiences. This process involves accepting one's emotions without judgment, creating space for them to be acknowledged and understood. A particularly effective method for exploring emotions is body-oriented therapy. Practices aimed at restoring a holistic perception of feelings, sensations and thoughts make it possible to form independent judgments about one’s motives and reactions, as well as to re-evaluate a lot. The role of the psychologist in this study is quite important. Because emotions have a social aspect and contact with others is important for us so that we can dive more deeply into our internal processes. The therapist's job is to be with the person in their healing journey, not to dictate it. Emotions are changeable and dynamic, influencing our reactions in different situations, they always have meaning. By acknowledging this variability, by understanding it, we can use our ability to adapt consciously. Understanding that emotions are not something that needs to be “worked through”, but that they are important signals that need your loving attention, can change a lot in your life. Sincerely, psychologist, Olga Bychkova!