In the previous article, we talked about different types of emotions and why we need them. Now let’s figure out what to do when anxiety hits, everything around drives you crazy, or envy suddenly creeps in. What are you supposed to do with all this? Hide it in a corner? Or maybe… try to make peace with it?
Why do we feel bad? It’s all part of the plan!
Surprise: if you’re experiencing negative emotions — you’re totally fine. It’s not a glitch, not a breakdown, and definitely not a weakness. That’s just your brain trying to protect you.
Feeling anxious? That’s your inner security guard on duty. Angry? Your body’s getting ready to act. Jealous? Your brain’s motivating you to catch up and compare.
We inherited these feelings from ancestors who survived by being cautious, avoiding shady characters, and running from danger when needed.
So no, you’re not too anxious — you’re evolutionarily upgraded. The world has changed, but your brain still thinks there’s a bear lurking around the corner.
Anxiety: the brain’s default mode
Anxiety isn’t a bug — it’s a feature. It helps predict what might go wrong and prepares you in advance. Back in the day, people would solve anxiety by literally running from a tiger. Now? We just sit and worry.
What to do? Don’t keep anxiety bottled up. Move your body — even just a fast walk around the block helps. Physical activity really reduces cortisol (the stress hormone). Just like ancient times: if you’re anxious — run!
Envy: not shameful, but motivational
Feeling jealous? Totally normal. We all compare ourselves to others. Envy is like a signal: “Why don’t I have that? I want it too!”
How to use it? Don’t beat yourself up — just admit it: “Yeah, I’m jealous.” Then ask yourself: do I actually want this? If yes — make a plan to get there. If not — let it go.
Anger: how not to fight with everyone
Anger is energy. And if you don’t let it out the right way, it’ll either explode (in yelling, drama, or broken mugs) or turn inward into apathy or bitterness.
Healthy outlets:
- Go for a run or dance like crazy
- Draw (especially abstractly!)
- Record voice notes to vent everything
- Get creative: write a song, poem, or comedy sketch
Procrastination: it’s not laziness
When we can’t make ourselves do something, we often think: “I’m just lazy.” But more often, it’s fear (“What if I fail?”), exhaustion, or inner resistance (“I’m being forced, and I don’t want to”).
What helps: Break the task into micro-steps. Don’t “write the thesis”, just “open the file”. Then “add a title”. One small step at a time.
What definitely doesn’t work (and can make it worse)
Some reactions may feel familiar, but they actually backfire:
- Yelling at loved ones
- Breaking dishes
- Suppressing feelings (“I’m strong, this doesn’t hurt me”)
- Stress-eating — especially sugar and junk food
- Drowning emotions in alcohol
These “solutions” don’t help — they just hide your feelings, which then come back twice as strong.
How to process negativity in a healthy way
Healthy doesn’t mean perfect — it means safe for you and others. Don’t ignore emotions, and don’t lash out — just give them a form.
How?
- Talk about your feelings (“I’m angry because…”)
- Keep a feelings journal
- Reach out to friends or a therapist
- Let your body move: exercise, walk, breathe
- Make something creative
Can we get rid of negativity completely?
Should we even try? Negative emotions are part of the human experience. Without them, we wouldn’t know what matters, where our boundaries are, or what hurts us. Trying to erase all negativity is like trying to stop being human — and become a fridge.
Sure, enlightenment sounds nice, but even Buddha had to go through suffering first. Sometimes sadness is what brings us closer to each other.
Conclusion
If you feel anxious, angry, jealous, or stuck in procrastination — congrats: you’re alive. Negative emotions are our helpers. They’re not here to fight — they’re here to talk.
So let it be a conversation, not a battle. Emotions are like inner guests who sometimes show up in a bad mood — but deep down, they just want us to live a good and happy life.