Emotional Reasoning - Mind Trap

Have you ever said, “Sorry, I’m just a silly person”? It’s a harmless thing to say, and maybe you do feel silly at times. But why not express it more accurately? “Sorry, I feel a bit silly right now.”

The way we talk to ourselves matters. If we’re not careful, we might fall into emotional reasoning—mistaking our feelings for facts. This can impact our confidence and willingness to change.

What is emotional reasoning?

Emotional reasoning happens when we believe our emotions define reality. In the example above, instead of recognizing silliness as a passing feeling, we label ourselves as a silly person. This is easy to do—after all, if we feel something strongly, it must be true… right? Not necessarily.

Here are some examples of emotional reasoning at work:

• “I feel scared” → “The world is a scary place.”
• “I feel guilty” → “I am guilty.”
• “I made a mistake” → “I am stupid.”
• “I feel lonely” → “I am socially unaware.”

Our brains are constantly trying to make sense of the world, but a single feeling should not define our identity. Emotional reasoning can turn temporary emotions into rigid, negative self-beliefs—making life unnecessarily difficult.

How to correct emotional reasoning

One simple habit can help: Before bed, take a moment to reflect. Write down any strong thoughts or emotions you experienced during the day, then challenge them by listing contradicting evidence.

Remember: Your emotions do not define who you are. They are not absolute truths. You are not your feelings.

If you find yourself struggling with the same thought patterns repeatedly, take action. Rather than making black-or-white statements about yourself, shift your focus to solutions. Challenge your thoughts, take action, and give yourself the space to grow.