Panel Debate: Emotional Control vs. Emotional Expressiveness: How do we Strike the Right Balance?
We are currently in an era that celebrates self-expression. Whether online or in person, we are encouraged to share our thoughts and emotions. Unlike previous generations, we now have the freedom to openly express how we feel. While there are numerous advantages to sharing our emotions with others, overdoing it can have its drawbacks.
That's why it's essential to strike a balance between emotional control and expressiveness. This balance, tailored to our personal preferences and the context we find ourselves in, is key to navigating the world of emotional expression with confidence and reassurance.
To delve deeper into this subject, I have invited Sahar Milani, an Experiential Brand Specialist and Host of the Mindful Makers Podcast and Laura Roche, an MC, podcaster and mindfulness and self-compassion expert, to join me for an in-depth discussion.
In this interview, we examine the various aspects of emotional expression, weighing its advantages and disadvantages. More importantly, we share practical strategies for achieving a healthy balance.
Resources:
- Colour PsychoDynamics:
Website: https://www.colourforlife.com/
- Human Design:
Website: https://www.myhumandesign.com/
Panel members bio:
Sahar Milani is the founder and Experiential Director of Sorshaa, a global brand strategist with a passion for human connection, storytelling, and wellbeing. With over 20 years of experience in mindfulness and a career spanning Europe, MENA, and Southeast Asia, she helps brands communicate with clarity and purpose to create meaningful impact. Sahar is also the host of Mindful Makers, a podcast spotlighting individuals and brands making a positive difference, recognized as one of the top 8 female-led MENA podcasts by SheerLuxe Middle East. Her work sits at the intersection of curiosity, creativity, and conscious communication.
Laura Roche was born and raised in Spain and holds a bachelor's degree in Social Pedagogy and a Master's in Mindfulness for Conscious Organizations from the University of Barcelona. She's also a mindfulness and self-compassion teacher from the University of San Diego, California. She spent hundreds of hours on retreats and even lived for short periods at a Buddhist temple. Having lived and worked on four continents, she has garnered valuable knowledge and experience in dealing with a multitude of people and cultures, always learning and opening herself up to new experiences.
Seline Shenoy is an author, blogger, and podcaster whose work focuses on personal development, self-esteem, productivity, and culture. Her online community—The Dream Catcher—connects and encourages thousands of readers and listeners every month from all over the world to live their dream lives and make a difference. She is a regular contributor to online publications such as Forbes, MindBodyGreen, Elite Daily, Life Hack, Medium, and others.
Follow panel members on INSTAGRAM:
Sahar Milani @sorshaa.edits
Laura Roche @heylauraroche
Seline Shenoy @selineshenoy
Interview timestamps
05:00 ︳The importance of emotional expression
• Discussion on the significance of emotional expression for well-being and connection.
• Statistics on global stress and trauma that highlight the importance of emotional awareness.
10:00 ︳Emotional intelligence: the untaught skill
• The prevalence of global stress, anxiety, and PTSD.
• The importance of emotional awareness and vocabulary.
• The lack of emotional intelligence education.
15:00 ︳The importance of human connection and emotional sharing
• The limitations of social media and technology in providing emotional validation.
• The vital role of in-person connection for genuine emotional support.
• The need for community and shared feelings in fostering vulnerability and acceptance.
• The importance of self-ownership and context in emotional sharing.
• Brene Brown's work on vulnerability and the need for safe spaces.
• The challenges and rewards of sharing personal experiences.
20:00 ︳Understanding emotions vs. feelings
• The distinction between emotions and feelings.
• The impact of biochemistry and physiology on emotional experiences.
• The influence of others on our physical and mental well-being.
25:00 ︳The art of healthy emotional sharing
• Determining the appropriate level of emotional sharing based on relationships and context.
• The importance of assessing personal and others' emotional capacity.
• The significance of setting boundaries.
40:00 ︳Deep listening and compassionate speaking
• The importance of deep listening and compassionate speaking.
• Internal regulation techniques for maintaining emotional capacity.
• Loving speech and setting boundaries in communication.
30:00 ︳Personal experiences and emotional expression styles
• Sahar, Laura and Seline share their personal experiences and emotional expression styles.
• The influence of culture, personality, and physiology on emotional expressiveness.
35:00 ︳Societal influences and emotional expression
• Societal pressures on emotional expression, including the impact of social media.
• The evolutionary basis for favoring positive emotions.
• The importance of choosing when, how, and with whom to share emotions.
40:00 ︳Repression vs. expression
• The distinction between suppressing, expressing, and repressing emotions.
• The negative health consequences of emotional repression.
• Choosing when and how to share for well-being and connection.
50:00 ︳Tools for emotional understanding
• Human design and color psychodynamics as frameworks for understanding emotional expression.
• The use of astrology and other typologies to understand emotional landscapes.
57:31 ︳Generational differences and grandmothers' wisdom
• The historical shift in societal acceptance of emotional expression.
• The value of interviewing grandmothers to gather valuable life stories.