“Oh, look who finally remembers I exist! After a whole week of hobnobbing with other people, you suddenly find the time to grace me with a text. How delightful!” .. Click send.

Ever found yourself in a situation where you respond to your loved one, your friend, your family, or even your coworker with something, only to have an immediate “Oh crap, why did I send that or say that?!” realisation? Ah, the classic foot-in-mouth moment! Yep, been there, done that, and I’m proud to say I still find myself in that amusing predicament every now and then. Who doesn’t love a good dose of instant regret, right?

You know what? Being trapped in that feeling is like trying to dance on a tightrope—it’s not just pressure, it’s a whole circus act! Especially when you’re aware that your words might be hurting someone’s feelings. And let’s not forget the repetitive sorrys that flow out of your mouth like a broken record—sorry, sorry, sorry!

But here’s the real kicker: when you find yourself in an emotional whirlwind, controlling the urge to respond immediately is like trying to control a rogue popcorn machine at the movies. It’s nearly impossible! In those intense moments, all you want to do is deliver a snappy comeback or unleash a text fury faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer. Why? Because the situation has hit you right in the gut, leaving you feeling as sad as a pug who lost his favorite chew toy or as angry as a squirrel who just discovered his hidden acorn stash has vanished.

So, my friend, hang in there and try not to slip on any more emotional banana peels. Life’s a comedy, after all—might as well add a bit of humor to our sticky situations!

As I mentioned earlier, I have been in that situation before and occasionally find myself in it again. However, that is not the reason for writing this article. The real purpose of this article is to share a technique that I have recently been using to minimise mistakes in responding to a negative text message or saying something that could potentially hurt others unintentionally.

Before I discuss the method I use to improve myself when I react thoughtlessly to situations around me, it’s important to recognise that some people believe our reactions in such situations are determined by our individual traits. However, not many people are aware that our behavior is influenced by a brain system inherent in human nature.

If you’ve read my previous article on mental health (Clear mind, heal soul – breathing exercise for better mental health), you may recall that I mentioned the Amygdala. It’s a part of the brain located in the piriform lobe, inside and in front of the temporal lobe. The Amygdala is responsible for recognising and responding to emotions. Similar to the hippocampus, it is a key component of the limbic system. I humorously refer to it as a diva because it greatly impacts our behavior and emotions. Hahaha!

Moving on, I’d like to introduce another important brain region called the “Angular Gyrus.” It’s situated at the junction of the temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. The Angular Gyrus plays a role in various cognitive processes, including reading, writing, and integrating visual and auditory information. It helps us understand the meaning of written words and connect them with our knowledge and memories. Additionally, it’s involved in language-related tasks like recognising speech sounds and manipulating language sounds. Although researchers are still studying its exact connection to emotional processing and the Amygdala, the Angular Gyrus likely contributes to the emotional aspects of language and helps link emotions with our comprehension and expression of language.

So, if you ever catch yourself thinking, “Oh no, I must be a terrible person because I read something and it instantly throws me into an emotional whirlwind or makes me furious!” and you start pointing fingers at yourself, fret not! You’re not completely a “bad person” by any means. It’s just a little something called human nature at play, nudging us to react in quirky and sometimes unpredictable ways. But why is it that each person reacts differently to situations? Well, my friend, that’s what we’re about to dive into with a touch of humor. Buckle up!

When the Angular Gyrus, the language processing whiz, bumps into the Amygdala, the emotional maestro, things get pretty interesting in the world of text messaging. Brace yourselves for these amusing effects:

1. Emotional Interpretation: The Angular Gyrus teams up with the Amygdala to spice up our interpretations of text messages. Suddenly, a simple “okay” can become a minefield of emotions. Is it positive? Negative? Neutral? Who knows? Let the emotional rollercoaster commence!
2. Emotional Resonance: Prepare for emotional turbulence! As the Angular Gyrus analyses the text and passes it along to the Amygdala, it’s like pushing buttons on a feelings switchboard. Expect to experience an explosion of joy, anger, sadness, or anxiety, all depending on the content of that message. Emotions served fresh and sizzling!
3. Emotional Regulation: Get ready to witness the ultimate showdown between the Angular Gyrus and the Amygdala. While one tries to make sense of the message, the other throws emotional grenades left and right. Can you keep your cool, or will you succumb to impulsive responses? It’s a battle for emotional supremacy!
4. Emotional Memory: Watch out, folks! The Angular Gyrus and the Amygdala are conspiring to give your memories a flamboyant makeover. If a text message triggers a colossal emotional eruption, these brain buddies will make sure you never forget it. Your recollection will be as vivid as a 3D movie on steroids!

Remember, the wacky world of text message emotions is also influenced by individual differences, personal experiences, and the message’s specific content. The brain likes to keep us on our toes, concocting a magical symphony of emotional experiences that would make Shakespeare jealous.

Oh, you caught me! Yes, the mischievous Angular Gyrus and the impulsive Amygdala might be partially responsible for those thoughtless and not-so-nice text message moments. But let’s not forget, they’re not the only troublemakers in our brain!

When the Angular Gyrus and Amygdala join forces, they can create a perfect storm of impulsive reactions and questionable choices. Suddenly, we find ourselves typing out snarky comebacks or blurting out things we’d never dare say in person. It’s like a comedy show gone wrong!

But hold on a second! We can’t blame everything on these brain buddies. Sure, they play a role, but other factors come into play too. Our unique personalities, past experiences, and the content of the message itself all contribute to our outbursts of witty (or not-so-witty) responses.

So, let’s not let the Angular Gyrus and Amygdala steal all the spotlight. We’re the ones in control (most of the time, at least). Take a deep breath, count to ten, and remember that even these mischievous brain regions can’t make us say things we truly don’t mean.

In the wild world of text messaging, where words can be misinterpreted and emotions run rampant, it’s always good to find that sweet spot between humor and kindness. Let’s keep the laughs rolling, but also be mindful of the impact our words can have. After all, we don’t want our text messages turning into a comedy roast, right?

Up until this point in the article, I hope you’ve grasped why I felt the need to dive into all this brain-related information. Trust me, it’s crucial for understanding how our brain functions and how it influences our behavior, especially those thoughtless responses we’re all guilty of. But fear not, my friend, I’ll sum it up for you in a way that won’t make your brain explode.

So, picture this: when we start reading a text message, there’s a brain region called the Angular Gyrus that kicks into action. It processes all that juicy information and then goes on to connect with the Amygdala, which I like to call our very own drama queen. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. If that message happens to hit us right in the feels and triggers our emotions, bam! It’s like a dynamite explosion in our brain, resulting in lightning-fast fingers typing out a thoughtless response and hitting send faster than you can say “oops.”

But wait, there’s hope! Our brain isn’t a one-person show starring the emotional drama queen alone. Enter the prefrontal cortex, our hero in this brainy tale. Located right at the front of the frontal lobe, this bad boy is responsible for all sorts of fancy cognitive functions. We’re talking executive functions, decision-making, planning, problem-solving—you name it! It’s the ultimate multitasker that helps us reign in our impulses and keep our cool.

Think of the prefrontal cortex as the wise old owl perched in your brain, reminding you to think before you act. It’s like having a personal life coach up there, nudging you to set goals, make sound judgments, and prioritize tasks like a boss. Oh, and it’s not just about being all intellectual and fancy. This brain region also knows how to party. It’s in charge of our social behavior, empathy, and self-awareness, making us more relatable and self-reflective human beings.

In a nutshell, the prefrontal cortex is like the captain of your brain ship, steering you away from impulsive reactions and helping shape your behavior and personality. So, the next time your emotional drama queen starts causing a ruckus, just remember that you’ve got the prefrontal cortex by your side, ready to save the day.

Alright, my friend, now that you’ve got the lowdown on which part of your brain to cozy up with and which part to avoid like the plague, let me spill the beans on a technique that’ll put your drama queen in its place and let your brain’s rock stars shine.

This technique is as easy as pie, and chances are you’ve heard it before: write stuff down when you feel emotionally attacked. Simple, right?

For me, my trusty notebook is my sidekick from the crack of dawn. Let’s face it, these days we wake up and immediately wrestle our phone alarms into submission. And boy, the urge to peek at those notifications is oh-so-real, Instagram, Facebook, text messages, you name it. Even messages from the people we’ve been dying to hear from! But to starting our day that way is far from ideal. No siree! But fear not, my friend, for I have a nifty little trick up my sleeve.

Yep, I do succumb to the digital temptation, guilty as charged! However, before I hit the hay, I make sure my trusty notebook is right by my side. So, when I stumble upon a message in the morning that sends my emotions into a frenzy, I grab that notebook and start scribbling like there’s no tomorrow. Then, I tuck it away and focus on my morning routine – brushing my teeth, taking a shower, and devouring breakfast like a champion (If I have time, hahaha).

Once I’ve conquered those tasks, I make myself back to my trusty notebook to revisit the message I penned down. And, believe it or not, more often than not, I realise it was nothing but a load of nonsense. Yeah, I decide not to unleash my wrath on my poor phone, sparing the unsuspecting recipient from my unfiltered response. It even gives me a chance to sprinkle a little extra kindness on my words before hitting that send button.

So, my friend, armed with your trusty notebook, you’ll outsmart that drama queen brain of yours and, who knows, you might even add a dash of charm to your messages along the way. Talk about leveling up your brain game, right?

Writing things down before responding to a text message can potentially help improve your prefrontal cortex and reduce amygdala response for a few reasons:

1. Engaging the prefrontal cortex: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making, problem-solving, and impulse control. When you write things down, you engage this part of the brain, as it involves organizing your thoughts, considering different perspectives, and formulating a coherent response. Regularly engaging the prefrontal cortex through activities like writing can help strengthen its functioning over time.
2. Reflection and self-regulation: Writing things down provides an opportunity for reflection and self-regulation. By taking a moment to write down your thoughts and emotions, you give yourself space to process them. This process encourages introspection and self-awareness, which can help regulate emotional responses. When you take the time to reflect on your emotions and thoughts, you can gain a better understanding of them and respond more calmly and thoughtfully, reducing amygdala-driven reactions.
3. Mindful attention and emotional regulation: Writing requires focused attention and concentration. When you concentrate on writing, you divert your attention away from immediate emotional reactions, giving your prefrontal cortex a chance to regulate your responses. This practice can help shift your focus from impulsive or emotionally charged reactions to more measured and controlled responses.
4. Cognitive flexibility and perspective-taking: Writing things down encourages cognitive flexibility and perspective-taking. It allows you to explore different angles, consider alternative viewpoints, and organize your thoughts in a coherent manner. This process engages your prefrontal cortex, promoting flexible thinking and reducing rigid, amygdala-driven responses.

It’s important to note that while writing things down can be helpful for improving cognitive functioning and emotional regulation, individual experiences may vary. It’s also essential to practice other strategies for managing emotions and enhancing cognitive abilities, such as mindfulness, self-care, and seeking professional guidance if needed.

Now that you’ve discovered the superpowers of jotting things down, let’s dive deeper into the importance of taming our emotional side. By mastering the art of emotional control, we can safeguard our relationships, avoid embarrassing situations, and nurture the connections we hold dear.

Imagine honing your executive functions, decision-making abilities, and problem-solving skills. It’s like having a superhero toolkit at your disposal! By slowing down the amygdala and allowing our prefrontal cortex to take the lead, we navigate conversations with grace and finesse.

You can keep a trusty notebook by your side, like a sidekick ready for action, or unleash your creativity to develop your own unique technique. The secret sauce is putting a leash on the amygdala, preventing emotions from hijacking critical thinking.

By conquering mistakes with humor and witty scribbles, we can avoid hurting others or responding in regrettable ways. So, let’s equip ourselves with the tools to safeguard relationships, maintain dignity, and uphold cherished values. Embrace this journey of personal growth, where emotional intelligence reigns and bonds thrive!

Before I wrap up this article, let me make something clear: I am definitely not a psychology whiz, a brainiac doctor, or any kind of expert on how our marvelous minds operate. Nope, just a curious soul who enjoys diving into this fascinating realm, reading up and conducting my own research. So, if you happen to be a bona fide brain guru, don’t hold back! Feel free to drop a comment or suggestion if you catch any slip-ups in this piece. Take care, folks, and may your week be as awesome as finding a hidden treasure in a sandcastle. Catch you in the next article, fellow adventurers!