Ranting

[bladespark]

Why must it be this way?

I won't ask "why is it this way" because the answer to that is fairly apparent. I just need to rail agianst the universe a bit, and against our STUIPID, annoying, frustrating culture.

WHY are emotions bushed aside as unimportant? Why is how we feel given no consideration? If I say I'm making a decision because of an emotion, I am automatically short-sighted and stupid. AUGH! Of course making decisions based on nothing but emotion isn't usually a good idea, but if a thing fulfills you, and makes you truly happy, should you not pursue it, even if it's seemingly illogical? I moved to a state where I knew exactly three people, just stuffed everything I own into a U-haul and left, and it was because of an emotion! And yes I did all the sensible things too, but if I'd chosen what to do with my life without including how I FEEL in the decision, I'd be living at home still, trying to get a degree, and by now I'd probably have gone postal and killed somebody, or fallen apart and had to be sent to the loony bin. (Probably the latter, honestly. I was on the shivering edge of a nervous breakdown there, and inclined more to curl up under the bed than to go in search of weaponry.) I HAD to get out, and there was NO logical reason behind it at all. I "should" have gotten a degree when I was just one semester away from getting it, I "should" have not taken out a loan, and just stayed with my parents. Every purely "logical" train of thought said to stay where I was, but following that kind of logic would have ruined me completely.

There is nothing wrong, or less, or worse about a decision based in emotional needs. Being friends with somebody when you get no measureable benefit, and when it may even cost you time and money, is still worthwhile, for purely emotional reasons, and that's not somehow stupid, or short-sighted.

In fact really, when you get right down to it, emotions really aren't illogical at all. They're not irrational or beyond all understanding. But we treat them as if they are, and we're afraid of them, and even hate them! They make perfect sense, if we'd only take the time to know them, and understand them. They happen for straightforward reasons, and they're GOOD, we need them!

Comments

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

If we didn't base decisions on emotions we would all be robots or basket cases.

Denying emotions denies a vast part of yourself - you could end up with a long, productive life without a second of joy in it

[jtbeckett.livejournal.com]

i think you hit on it when you said, making decisions based SOLELY on emotion and nothing else is a bad practise, generally. The way I makle decisions is, first, listen to my gut, then figure out a logical way to go with my gut. It very rarely steers me wrong.

[kainhighwind-dr.livejournal.com]

A lot of people do figure they're doing what's right when they do what they 'should' even if they are honestly quite miserable at doing it. It is a rather sick way to have taught ourselves to live.

Just be happy you actually did something about responding to your emotions earlier on with regards to going all the way for a degree. I didn't. It did indeed ruin me, and the damage will linger for a time still I'm afraid. But, I came away with a valuable lesson about pursuing one's desires too.

I envy people who had the foresight, self-assertion and smarts to take charge of their lives and lived it the way they wished rather than the way they (or others) thought it ought to be lived.

[silveradept]

Emotions are brushed aside because "men don't do emotion" and "women are just hysterical creatures. Silly second-class chattel." Or at least, according to the societal entrenchment.

Doing things with emotional cores, though, are definitely good things, because they'll help you with making other good decisions. At some point, what makes you happy is more important, regardless of what you "should" do. So go for it, and drag many others with you into that idea so that people do things they want and like, rather than what they have to or "should" do.

[keplilly.livejournal.com]

I've wondered about that myself...having to justify any decision can be difficult. Especially any having an emotional base. I really hate trying to justify it to others. I believe emotions are very valid in life. I have a hard time explaining or describing them but they are still valid.

I think if we paid more attention to how we feel then there would be happier people in the world rather then people just trudging through life doing the same old boring things. I wonder how many people are really happy in their lives and choices? I doubt there is someone who does not at one point in their life ask "What if?" "What would happen if I had done this or that." People always ask why and what if, rather then taking action. Most people never know being too afraid to follow through but for those who do I think they probably are happier and have fewer regrets with their life.

In looking at your situation I doubt you regret your decision. You sound like you just hate having to justify/explain it to others. :-)