There’s a difference between being mature and being emotionally mature. So, what does it mean to be emotionally mature? when someone is emotionally mature they can manage their feelings in nearly any situation.  They possesses empathy for others  and often how to deescalate a conflict if necessary.  They're the person you go to when you have a tough issue you need to talk about. Sounds great, right?

Well... to help you get a grasp on your emotions, here are ways to become more emotionally mature. 

1. Identify your emotions

How can we get a grasp on our emotions if we don't first know what we're feeling. It might seem silly that you must identify your emotions, but before you get into a heated fight or start breaking down into a sob,  do you know what led you there? Every time you feel sad, angry, or empty, ask yourself why you felt that way. Being aware and understanding why you feel these things can help you manage your emotions. remind yourself that your feelings are valid but you don't have act on them. Stay aware of emotions.

2. Take your responsibility

Have you ever denied something just because you didn't want to admit you were wrong? sometimes reality can be hard to face but it's more mature to take responsibility for our actions instead of brushing them away. If we simply ignore that we were wrong during an argument  or don't take action on things that are our responsibilities, we can never learned and grow from our mistakes. Being aware, holding yourself accountable, recognizing you were wrong, and learning from your mistakes shows that you're emotionally mature. Not only that, next time you're in the same situation, you won't make the same mistake twice.

3. Find a role model

If you struggle with how quickly you react negatively in stressful situations, try looking toward someone you admire as a guide. What would they do? You don't wanna become your role model and lose yourself. You just wanna learn how they handle situations so well. Maybe they have a great work ethic that you admire and try it out. 

4. Learn to be open-minded

Emotionally mature people understand they don't have all the answers. That's why it's best to open our minds to other perspectives besides simply our own. We may have a strong opinion on certain subjects but it doesn't hurt to actively listen to another's opposing opinion instead of thinking about ways we can persuade them that they're wrong. It's best not to judge someone or something right away. If we learn to be open-minded even with the little things, we give ourselves the chance to try something new. 

5. Set Limits, establish boundaries, focus on solutions not problems.

You! Always check your own attitude too. It’s not always the world around you, sometimes you are the toxic person. Understand that you make mistakes and can hurt people. Apologize, unlearn and relearn, that's growth. Understand that there are things you need to work on, that's enlightenment, striving for continuous improvement, instead of faking perfection!

Yogyakarta, 13 July 2023