From Ant Hills to Mountains: Mastering Emotional Balance Through Thoughtful Language

Some individuals tend to blow their problems completely out of proportion and turn every "ant into an elephant."

Often, these are people who experience every situation in an exaggerated way, far beyond what it actually is. To help neutralize this feeling, it’s important to pay close attention to the language we use. We must stop using exaggerated expressions like:

• “This is terrible,”

• “It’s disgusting,”

• “I hate this,”

• “I’m going to explode,”

• “I’m starving to death,”

• “I can’t stand this for even one second,” and so on.

The Book of Proverbs teaches: “Worry in the heart of a person- let them suppress it.” One should try to subdue it and bring it back into proportion.

These dramatic expressions that people tend to use are most often not accurate. Human history shows that people have survived even the most extreme emotional and physical challenges. Humanity is adaptable and we learn to adjust and cope with even the harshest of circumstances.

Moreover, words affect us. Just as our words express what’s going on inside us, they also influence what’s happening.

If a person says, “I need to wash the dishes,” will they actually wash them? Not necessarily. And even if they do, it may not be right away.
But if they say, “I want to wash the dishes,” or “I feel like washing the dishes,” or “It suits me to do it now",- that creates an entirely different response in the brain. This is because the word “need to” is subconsciously linked with obligation and discomfort, while words like “want” or “feel like” speak to our will and motivation which make it far more likely we’ll take action.

This is a powerful example of how our word choices impact our subconscious, which in turn affects how we think, feel, and function.

The person who experiences everything in an exaggerated way and turns minor issues into major crises, is advised to replace extreme language with more neutral terms, such as:

• “It’s difficult, but manageable.”

• “It’s uncomfortable, but I can handle it.”

It’s crucial that even during ordinary moments, we pay attention to how we speak, both with others and with ourselves. Our inner dialogue plays a key role in shaping our emotional balance.

Starting today, try to identify three moments each day where you consciously express yourself in a more balanced and proportional way. This simple practice can significantly reshape how you experience and respond to challenges.