Sharing emotions openly doesn’t come naturally for everyone. I even find myself struggling to share my emotions with others. We learn in society that we’re supposed to cover up our feelings in order to come off as professional, act appropriately and avoid conflict. However, emotions are more than just an individual feeling, they are a part of a larger social construct. So by displaying your emotions you are actually socially advancing.

Openly experiencing and expressing our emotions with others allows an avenue to create a connection. Sharing our feelings encourages the strengthening of our social ties and deepening of our relationships.

An article from Forbes magazine claims that one of the top misconceptions people hold about their emotions is that they should be feeling differently or that their emotions are wrong. However, conversing with others about how you feel often leads you to discover that someone else feels the same way. An insight you might never have come across had you not talked with someone about it.

Discussing these feelings with others also allows unbiased perspectives and sometimes advice. An outside viewpoint can be incredibly helpful when trying to decipher your emotions. Sharing with other people also help us find meaning in our experiences that we often cannot see ourselves.

What if no one ever shared their emotions and the only emotions you knew were your own? I can imagine I would feel fairly alone and disempowered. Knowing other people’s emotions allows you to accept your own as well as feel connected with others through similar emotions.

Almost every emotion has a function, especially a social function. Because they serve as social functions, it assumes that emotions evolved in a social context and should be beneficial for social survival. Stifling your emotions away hinders your ability to illuminate exactly why you are feeling a certain way. An understanding of those emotions allows social success.

For example, if you are feeling angry, acting out towards someone else will weaken that social relationship. But talking about those feelings would create a channel for communication instead. A similar problem that people run into when they don’t share their emotions is that they then expect others around them to play a mind reading game. This tactic is unfair to both parties. No one can read someone’s mind, and it shouldn’t be expected of anyone to do so. By simply talking openly about your emotions you relieve the stress of having to guess them.

Sharing emotions isn’t always viewed in a social context, but it is a critical social skill to have. While I see and sometimes experience the struggles of opening up, overall the benefits outweigh the risks.

Sam Miner can be reached at mine0034@stthomas.edu