Where To Start - What Does Emotional Wellness Mean?

Emotional wellness might sound like one of those fancy terms wellness coaches throw around, but it's actually pretty simple—and super important. It's all about understanding your feelings, knowing how to handle them, and expressing them in a way that doesn't end up with you wanting to hide under the bed with a tub of ice cream.

Think about it this way: life throws a lot of curveballs. Sometimes you're on top of the world, feeling like you've got everything figured out—then out of nowhere, you're questioning every decision you've ever made. Emotional wellness is what helps you ride those highs and lows without crashing. It’s like being the captain of your own ship in the middle of the ocean; storms will come, but you’ll know how to steer through them.

So, why is it so darn important? Because without it, everything else in life gets harder. You know those days when everything seems to go wrong? You oversleep, your coffee tastes like mud, and you step out the door only to realize it’s raining and you’ve left your umbrella. Sounds familiar? Yes, I know… But when you’re emotionally well, you can laugh off these mishaps as just one of those days. But when you're not, each little thing feels like a personal attack by the universe.

Here's a story for you. Picture this: you’re at a fancy dinner, trying to impress someone important—maybe it's a date, maybe it's a potential boss. You're nervous, so you're talking a mile a minute, and just as you go to take a sip of your water, you somehow manage to miss your mouth entirely and drench your lap. Embarrassing? Absolutely. End of the world? Not if your emotional wellness game is strong. Instead of spiraling into a pit of despair, you crack a joke about practicing for a water-sport competition, and just like that, the tension's broken. Everyone's laughing, and what could have been a disaster turns into a funny story to share.

That’s emotional wellness in action. I have experienced it, just like you did. This is what defines us as human. But it’s not about never feeling stressed, upset, or embarrassed; it's about handling those feelings without losing your cool (or if you do lose it, knowing it’s not the end of the world). It’s understanding that it's okay to not be okay sometimes and that asking for help or taking a break isn’t a sign of weakness—it's smart.

Being emotionally well doesn't mean you need to meditate for hours or keep a diary (unless that's your thing, then go for it). It's about finding what works for you, whether that's talking to friends, going for a run, or watching cat videos until you laugh yourself silly. It’s about making space in your life for those little moments of joy and learning to be kind to yourself, especially on the rough days.

In a nutshell, emotional wellness is your secret weapon for navigating the messiness of life. It's what helps you bounce back from setbacks, find humor in the face of adversity, and keep moving forward, even when you’re not sure where you’re going. So next time life decides to throw a pie in your face, remember: it’s just another chance to practice your emotional wellness—and maybe get a good story out of it.

Emotions And Memories: The Core Of Everything We Are

Our emotions and memories are tightly linked, kind of like old friends that shape who we are. When we talk about carrying "emotional baggage," we're really just talking about all the feelings and moments we've piled up over the years. These aren't just thoughts tucked away in our brain; they're more like experiences that hit all our senses, making us feel things deeply.

Memories are where these emotions live. They're not just things we remember; they're the feelings attached to those memories that can bring us back to moments with all our senses. Like how a certain smell can take you back to your grandma's kitchen or a particular song can remind you of a high school dance. These memories stick with us, guiding us through life.

In today’s world, where everything's online, keeping these memories safe is super important. Every picture we post, every status we update, is a piece of our story we’re sharing. Digital tools give us a cool way to keep these memories so we can look back on them and share them with future generations.

Losing my dad as prematurely and unexpectedly in October 2020 hit me hard. It was a reminder of how quickly things can change, even those things you think you have a good control of. But finding comfort in the digital memories he left behind – photos, videos, messages – helped me feel stay connected to him. These weren’t just files on a computer; they were pieces of him, keeping his spirit and our memories together alive.

Me and my dad (2017)

This is where I fundamentally realized the immense value behind saving our memories digitally. It's not really about the technology. It's about preserving the laughter, the tears, and the love we experience, through a photograph or a video. These digital keepsakes let us truly hold on to the moments that define us, sharing them with the next generations, as my dad would have liked to see them passed on to his beloved ones once gone.

So, as we scroll, click, and post, let's remember to save those special moments. It's about making sure the stories, the feelings, and the connections we have don’t just disappear. In a way, it's how we keep telling our story, linking the past, present, and future, ensuring that the love & lessons we've learned stay alive for others to see and feel. That way, we're not just keeping memories; we're keeping a piece of ourselves safe for the future, leaving our footprint in the infinity of time.

But a key question remains: What tools do we have access today to safeguard exactly that? You might think of the GBs of files residing on your Google Photos account as you read this, but when you think about it, how many hours in total have you dedicated at sorting, deleting and summarizing your digital memories? 5? 10 at the most? And do you think you will have more time before getting retired? I have asked myself those same questions and the answer was a straight No.

Which is what led me to do some research and stumbled into another game-changing concept developed by a french start-up (as a matter of coincidence), named Toodays.me. This small family business has found a simple but truly effective and friendly way to allow any mobile phone owner to record their memories on their app on a daily basis, solving for the issue painted previously.

Why Emotional Intelligence (EQ) matters more than ever now?

In today’s whirlwind of digital interaction, mastering the less known and under-estimated emotional intelligence (EQ) has never been more critical. It’s easy to forget that behind every screen, there’s a human being, with feelings, fears, and dreams just like us. As we all navigate through this digital age, the art of understanding, managing, and expressing our emotions in a healthy way is a beacon of hope for preserving the essence of what makes us human.

EQ isn’t just about being aware of our own emotions; it’s about recognizing the feelings of others, even when our interactions are mediated by screens. It's about reading between the lines of a text message, understanding the silence behind an unanswered call, or the story behind a seemingly happy social media post. Emotional intelligence is our guide in a world where digital communication often overshadows face-to-face interactions, helping us to stay connected and empathetic towards one another.

Let me share a story that hit close to home and highlighted the importance of EQ in today’s world. A news article once recounted the life of a man who had died alone in his luxurious house. This individual, described as a once vibrant and successful businessman, was depicted as a person who gradually retreated into a world of digital isolation, alcohol, and money betting, substituting real-world interactions with online connections. Weeks went by before he was found, a discovery made purely by accident. This tragic tale is in my mind a stark reminder of what’s at stake when we let our digital lives overshadow our real ones.

This story struck a chord with me, emphasizing how essential it is to remain emotionally intelligent and connected in an increasingly digital world. It was truly a wake-up call for me and a big warning sign towards my own kids, to look up from our screens and check in on our friends, family, and even acquaintances. It’s about making a real effort to understand and connect with the people around us, beyond the superficial exchanges that digital communication often offers.

Emotional intelligence prompts us to ask deeper questions, to engage in more meaningful conversations, and to be present for those who might be struggling in silence. It challenges us to be better listeners, more empathetic friends, and more understanding strangers. In a world where you can ‘Like,' 'Comment,' and 'Share,' EQ reminds us of the importance of loving, speaking, and caring in the most human way possible.

The lesson here for me is this: As digital interactions continue to shape how we relate to each other, let’s not forget the power of emotional intelligence. Let’s use it to break through the digital wall and reach out to those who might be feeling isolated or forgotten. By mastering EQ, we can ensure that our most natural human traits—compassion, empathy, and connection—remain vibrant and alive, making sure that no one faces silence alone.

In the end, emotional intelligence is more than just a skill, so let’s hold onto it, nurture it, and use it to weave a stronger, more connected human ‘‘broderie’’, one interaction at a time.

NB: If you had not heard of the term EQ before, I wanted to point you to one key publication which has significantly stressed the value of developing and mastering emotional intelligence over the traditional intellectual quotient (IQ). Daniel Goleman, a psychologist and science journalist, brought the concept of emotional intelligence to the forefront with his groundbreaking book, "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ," published in 1995, that I personally recommend.

In his book, Goleman argues that emotional intelligence (EQ) — the ability to manage our own emotions and understand and influence the emotions of others — is a critical factor that sets star performers apart in any field, including business, leadership, and personal relationships. He presents a compelling case for the importance of EQ, backed by research and examples that demonstrate how emotional intelligence impacts success and happiness, often more profoundly than IQ.

Fascinatingly, Goleman's "Emotional Intelligence" seems to have sparked a paradigm shift, challenging the conventional wisdom that IQ is the sole measure of potential. It has opened up a broader understanding of what it means to be intelligent and how emotional competencies can enhance our lives including our children, relatives and friends.