Ana, loved it! Your description of emotional dysregulation as a learned response is really interesting. It raises an important question: How can we better become aware and begin to unlearn these patterns in our everyday lives? In my line of work (working with narrative and storytelling), I've seen it in community projects in slums - imagining new stories, new narratives, either shared or individual - how much a simple shift of focus, can create the first step to change, because of seeing it from a new perspective. And when it becomes embodied emotional experience, it really turns the tide for many. Its a bit different, but had to think about this, when reading your article. On a personal note: The parallel you draw between addiction to intensity and our emotional responses really got me thinking. Do you think there are societal factors that exacerbate this addiction, especially in our fast-paced, information-saturated world?
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reflection, Simon. Your line of work resonates deeply with mine, as a psychotherapist, I also work a lot with narrative restructuring. The power of story is undeniable, and when applied to the internal narratives we hold about ourselves and our lives, it becomes truly transformative, for better or worse.
I appreciate that the piece got you thinking. I do believe emotional dysregulation can be approached similarly to addiction: by first tending to the underlying pain with compassion and curiosity.
And to your question, yes, I believe our fast-paced, dopamine-driven culture plays a major role in this “intensity addiction.” In a world that rarely makes space for stillness, it becomes harder to feel safe in calm or in “enoughness.” Our emotional landscapes often mirror the tempo of our lives, and right now, that tempo is fast, loud, and relentless.
Thank you for your response! Full agree also with the last part. It makes so much sense. I think sometimes I wonder, if we need this level of intensity of the current moment to realise that things need to change. Its similar, what I think many feel with AI - that is pointing us towards something, we did not even realise we missed - a deeper conversation about what makes us human.
Yes, that’s such an important point. Sometimes it’s only when the intensity becomes unbearable that we finally pause and reflect: is this really the life I want to be living? In that way, the very overwhelm we try to avoid becomes the catalyst for deeper change.
And I love your link to AI. It is forcing us into a new kind of reckoning, one that’s less about efficiency and more about essence. What makes us human? What do we want to preserve, slow down for, and protect?
These conversations matter. Thank you for being in them.
Ana, loved it! Your description of emotional dysregulation as a learned response is really interesting. It raises an important question: How can we better become aware and begin to unlearn these patterns in our everyday lives? In my line of work (working with narrative and storytelling), I've seen it in community projects in slums - imagining new stories, new narratives, either shared or individual - how much a simple shift of focus, can create the first step to change, because of seeing it from a new perspective. And when it becomes embodied emotional experience, it really turns the tide for many. Its a bit different, but had to think about this, when reading your article. On a personal note: The parallel you draw between addiction to intensity and our emotional responses really got me thinking. Do you think there are societal factors that exacerbate this addiction, especially in our fast-paced, information-saturated world?
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reflection, Simon. Your line of work resonates deeply with mine, as a psychotherapist, I also work a lot with narrative restructuring. The power of story is undeniable, and when applied to the internal narratives we hold about ourselves and our lives, it becomes truly transformative, for better or worse.
I appreciate that the piece got you thinking. I do believe emotional dysregulation can be approached similarly to addiction: by first tending to the underlying pain with compassion and curiosity.
And to your question, yes, I believe our fast-paced, dopamine-driven culture plays a major role in this “intensity addiction.” In a world that rarely makes space for stillness, it becomes harder to feel safe in calm or in “enoughness.” Our emotional landscapes often mirror the tempo of our lives, and right now, that tempo is fast, loud, and relentless.
Thank you for your response! Full agree also with the last part. It makes so much sense. I think sometimes I wonder, if we need this level of intensity of the current moment to realise that things need to change. Its similar, what I think many feel with AI - that is pointing us towards something, we did not even realise we missed - a deeper conversation about what makes us human.
Yes, that’s such an important point. Sometimes it’s only when the intensity becomes unbearable that we finally pause and reflect: is this really the life I want to be living? In that way, the very overwhelm we try to avoid becomes the catalyst for deeper change.
And I love your link to AI. It is forcing us into a new kind of reckoning, one that’s less about efficiency and more about essence. What makes us human? What do we want to preserve, slow down for, and protect?
These conversations matter. Thank you for being in them.