20 Sentences That Will Give You More Emotional Control Than 99% Of People

20 Sentences That Will Give You More Emotional Control Than 99% Of People

Chances are, you’ve encountered your fair share of emotionally unstable people in life, and it was a major headache. They’re dramatic, overly sensitive, and constantly stressed out, and this affects everyone around them. It sounds like they could have used the following mantras to help them calm down — and maybe you can too.

1. “I own my feelings.”

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Recognizing that your feelings are your own and that other people don’t control them is an important step towards emotional control. You have the power to manage your emotions and how you react to situations. Once you realize this, it seriously reduces (or even eliminates) feelings of helplessness and increases your emotional resilience. It’s a reminder of your personal power and responsibility over your emotional state.

2. “I choose to respond, not react.”

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This mantra encourages thoughtful and deliberate actions rather than impulsive reactions. It serves as a reminder to pause, process your feelings, and choose your response carefully. By choosing to respond rather than react, you can prevent unnecessary conflicts and maintain better control over your emotions. As a result, you’ll be so much calmer and more at peace.

3. “This too shall pass.”

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An oldie but a goodie! This timeless phrase can really help you maintain a bit of perspective during tough times. It’s a reminder that even the most difficult and intense feelings are temporary and will pass. By reminding yourself of this on a daily basis, you can better navigate emotional upheavals and stay strong in the face of adversity.

4. “I can handle this.”

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This is an empowering mantra that reinforces your ability to manage tough situations and feelings. It boosts your confidence and provides reassurance during stressful and anxiety-inducing times. By reminding yourself of your strength and resilience, you can handle these situations with ease (or at least a bit less agony).

5. “I forgive myself.”

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Forgiveness, especially self-forgiveness, is a powerful tool for emotional control. This sentence allows you to release guilt and regret and encourages self-compassion. Forgiving yourself always leads to emotional healing and prevents unnecessary suffering. You don’t need to beat yourself up so much. You’re human, so show yourself a bit of grace and cut yourself some slack.

6. “I can learn from this.”

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Seeing challenges as opportunities for growth can go a long way toward transforming your emotional experiences. This perspective helps you find valuable lessons in terrible situations. Plus, it fosters emotional growth and resilience, and it encourages personal development and emotional maturity. See how much good can come from the crappiest times?

7. “I have control over how I feel.”

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This mantra reinforces the idea that you’re in complete control of your emotions. It’s also a solid reminder that external circumstances don’t have to dictate your feelings — your reactions to them do. By taking ownership of your emotions, you gain greater control over your emotional well-being. (P.S. if you’re feeling particularly down about your love life, you need to check out our sister site, Sweetn. They’ll boost your mood — and your relationships — in just a few weeks!)

8. “It’s okay to feel this way.”

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Validating your own feelings is so important for emotional control. This sentence encourages self-acceptance and emotional honesty. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to experience a range of emotions. After all, compartmentalizing them is only going to cause them to explode down the line. Deal with them now so you can leave them behind and move on.

9. “I will not less this define me.”

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This one prevents you from letting negative experiences or feelings define who you are at your core. It’s a powerful statement of resilience and self-belief. By refusing to be defined by your feelings, you maintain control over your self-image and emotional state. You’re a complex and nuanced person — no one thing determines who you are.

10. “I can change my thoughts.”

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Recognizing that you have the power to change your thoughts is the key to controlling your emotions rather than letting them control you. This mantra encourages flexibility and the ability to reframe your negative thoughts. It’s a crucial step towards maintaining a positive mindset, which can be really tough when the world seems hell-bent on knocking you down.

11. “I am grateful for…”

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Being grateful can shift your focus from negative emotions to positive ones. Sure, sometimes practicing gratitude doesn’t make you feel any better in the moment, but this mantra encourages you to find and acknowledge the good in your life. Do this often enough and you’ll notice your mood shift into a much positive one.

12. “I’ll focus on what I can control.”

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This sentence helps to redirect your energy from worrying about all the stuff you can’t control — and there’s a ton of it! — to focusing on what you can change. As a result, it can really help reduce feelings of anxiety and helplessness. You can let go of all the stuff that’s outside of your control, and that’s a huge weight off your shoulders.

13. “I deserve love and respect.”

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This affirmation reinforces self-worth and respect. It’s a reminder to treat yourself with kindness and demand the same from other people. Maintaining a sense of self-worth is so important for maintaining healthy relationships — it ensures that you never accept less than you deserve and that you cut people out who don’t treat you accordingly.

14. “I will take care of myself.”

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This mantra really emphasizes the importance of self-care in managing your emotions. It’s a commitment to prioritizing your physical, mental, and emotional health. Self-care isn’t just about taking bubble baths or treating yourself to a manicure — it’s valuable time you should be spending recharging your battery and doing some self-reflection.

15. “I will take a deep breath.”

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This mantra encourages a simple but effective way to immediately get your feelings under control when you feel like you’re about to lose it. Deep breathing can help reduce anxiety and promote calmness, which is a woo-woo way of saying that you’ve gotta chill out and take a breath so you don’t do or say something you might later regret. It’s a quick and accessible tool for managing your emotions in any situation.

16. “I will let go of negativity.”

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This is a commitment to release negative thoughts and emotions and instead embrace a positive mindset and emotional freedom. Letting go of negativity isn’t easy, but doing it always leaves you feeling so much better because it means letting go of drama that you really don’t need in your life.

17. “I am stronger than this challenge.”

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This affirmation boosts your confidence and resilience when you’re dealing with really tough times. It’s a reminder of how strong you are and how capable you are of overcoming even the biggest challenges. Believing in your strength can help you navigate difficult feelings and situations without quite so much stress or dread.

18. “I will practice patience.”

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Patience is the foundation of emotional control. We’re all desperate for immediate gratification in life, but being patient allows you to pause and process your feelings rather than reacting impulsively. Not only will this ensure that you don’t make terrible decisions but it’ll also keep you on more of an emotional even keel.

19. “I choose peace over conflict.”

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This mantra promotes choosing peace over getting into unnecessary drama. Deciding to stay out of conflict helps to maintain emotional balance and prevent unnecessary stress and anxiety. It’s a commitment to prioritize your emotional well-being over winning an argument. Sometimes you just have to choose your battles a bit more wisely.

20. “I will practice mindfulness.”

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This mantra emphasizes the practice of mindfulness, which you probably know by now is a powerful tool for emotional control. Mindfulness helps you stay present and aware of your emotions without judgment. Regular mindfulness practice can improve emotional awareness and control.

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Piper Ryan is a NYC-based writer and matchmaker who works to bring millennials who are sick of dating apps and the bar scene together in an organic and efficient way. To date, she's paired up more than 120 couples, many of whom have gone on to get married. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, Time Out New York, The Cut, and many more.

In addition to runnnig her own business, Piper is passionate about charity work, advocating for vulnerable women and children in her local area and across the country. She is currently working on her first book, a non-fiction collection of stories focusing on female empowerment.