Emotional intelligence, often overlooked, is actually a vital part of our personal growth. It’s like a secret ingredient that adds flavor to our lives, enhancing the way we understand and interact with the world.
But how do you know if your emotional intelligence is growing?
Well, take a moment and reflect on how you handle situations in your life. Do you find yourself reacting impulsively, or do you take a moment to respond thoughtfully?
If you’re leaning toward the latter, that’s great! It means you’re on the path to developing your emotional intelligence.
Now, let’s look at other signs that indicate your emotional intelligence is growing. These signs will help you understand where you are on your personal growth journey and inspire you to keep pushing forward.
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You Respond Instead of React
One of the first signs of growing emotional intelligence is the ability to respond rather than react.
When we react, we allow our emotions to control us. We might lash out in anger, retreat in fear, or freeze in shock because we don’t really have the capacity to understand what we’re feeling and why.
But when we respond, we take a moment to process what’s happening. We consider our options and choose the best course of action.
Responding instead of reacting shows that we’re not just aware of our emotions; we’re in control of them. We’re able to take a step back, think about what we’re feeling, and then decide how we want to express those feelings.
You Listen More
Another sign of growing emotional intelligence is the ability to listen actively.
We all know that it’s important to listen when others are talking. But active listening goes beyond just hearing the words that are being said. It involves understanding the emotions behind those words and validating those feelings.
Have you ever noticed yourself doing this? Have you ever found yourself truly empathizing with someone’s feelings, even if you don’t necessarily agree with their point of view?
If so, you’re demonstrating a high level of emotional intelligence. You’re showing that you understand that everyone’s feelings are valid, even if they’re different from your own.
You Have Healthy Boundaries
Establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries is a significant indicator of growing emotional intelligence.
These boundaries are not walls to keep people out but rather guidelines that define what behavior you find acceptable and what you don’t. They are a reflection of your self-respect and your respect for others.
Do you find yourself saying no without feeling guilty? Are you able to express your needs and wants clearly and assertively without infringing on the rights of others?
If your answer is yes, then this is a sign that your emotional intelligence is growing. You are demonstrating an understanding that your feelings, needs, and rights are just as important as those of others.
You Take Responsibility
Taking responsibility for your actions and emotions is a sign of maturity, and that your emotional intelligence is definitely improving.
Being able to take responsibility means acknowledging your mistakes, apologizing when necessary, and making amends with those you’ve hurt. It also means owning your feelings and not blaming others for how you feel.
If you find yourself able to admit when you’re wrong, apologize sincerely, and work toward rectifying your mistakes, then you’re showing high emotional intelligence.
Similarly, if you’re able to recognize and own your feelings rather than projecting them onto others, you’re displaying emotional intelligence.
This level of self-accountability demonstrates a mature understanding of the impact of your actions and emotions on yourself and others.
You Are Self-Aware
Self-awareness is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. It’s the ability to recognize and understand your emotions, thoughts, and motivations. It’s about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, your triggers, and your patterns of behavior.
Are you aware of what makes you happy, sad, or angry? Can you identify your emotional triggers? Do you understand why you behave the way you do in certain situations?
If you answered yes to these questions, then you’re exhibiting self-awareness, a key sign that your emotional intelligence is growing.
This level of introspection allows you to navigate your emotions effectively and interact with others more empathetically.
You Embrace Change
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “Life is flux,” and these words are even more true today than they were over 2500 years ago.
This statement means that life is always changing and becoming something other than what it was before. Our ability to adapt to these changes is a testament to our emotional strength.
If you find yourself accepting and even welcoming change rather than resisting or fearing it, you’re displaying a high level of emotional intelligence.
Embracing change means understanding that it’s a natural part of life. It means acknowledging your emotions about the change, whether they’re positive or negative, and then deciding how to respond in a way that’s constructive and healthy.
It’s also about being flexible and resilient rather than rigid and fragile and seeing change as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat.
You Show Empathy
The ability to show empathy is another key sign of maturity and growing emotional intelligence.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and truly feeling what they’re feeling.
Showing empathy doesn’t mean you have to agree with the other person’s perspective or feelings. Rather, it means recognizing their emotions and validating them. It’s about being there for them, offering comfort and understanding, even when you can’t solve their problems.
If you find yourself naturally empathizing with others, you’re demonstrating a high level of emotional intelligence.
