Scientists, including those who have spent their careers studying emotions, still disagree on a singular definition of what emotions are. However, there is agreement on two common myths about emotions: Myth No. 1 is that emotions are hardwired at birth and universal across all people, and Myth No. 2 is that emotions are purely reactive.
This means, first, that there is tremendous nuance in how individuals experience emotions. Second, it suggests that emotions don’t happen to us, but our brain actively constructs them. Understanding this provides a profound sense of freedom: we are not indefinitely tethered to our emotions, and we have the power to change our emotional state if we choose.
Emotions serve as a means of helping us navigate and illuminate experiences—this is why we so vividly remember moments of intense discomfort or joy. The next time we perform and experience strong emotional reactions, we can observe the state, recognize it as a temporary experience, and use it as a guide to better understand and navigate our performance.
