For example, if we were abused by our parents as a child, we may have developed a subconscious emotional trigger related to authority figures. Whenever we encounter someone who has power over us, such as a boss, a teacher, or a police officer, we may feel threatened and fearful. Our amygdala may activate the fight-or-flight response and make us either aggressive or submissive towards them.
The problem with subconscious emotional triggers is that they are often based on outdated or inaccurate information from our past. They do not reflect the reality of our present situation or the person who is triggering us. They also prevent us from responding in more adaptive and constructive ways that could benefit us and others.
Why Do Subconscious Emotional Triggers Matter?
Subconscious emotional triggers matter because they can have a significant impact on various aspects of our lives, such as:
• Our relationships with others: Subconscious emotional triggers can cause us to misinterpret or overreact to other people’s words or actions. We may become defensive, hostile, or distant towards them. We may also project our own issues onto them and blame them for our feelings. This can damage our trust, intimacy, and communication with them.
• Our performance at work or school: Subconscious emotional triggers can impair our ability to focus, learn, and solve problems. We may become distracted, anxious, or frustrated by our tasks. We may also avoid or procrastinate on our responsibilities or make mistakes or errors that affect our quality of work or grades.
• Our physical and mental health: Subconscious emotional triggers can cause us to experience chronic stress, which can weaken our immune system and increase our risk of developing various diseases and disorders. We may also develop unhealthy coping habits, such as smoking, drinking, or overeating, that can harm our body and mind.
• Our happiness and well-being: Subconscious emotional triggers can rob us of our joy and peace of mind. We may feel unhappy, dissatisfied, or depressed by our life. We may also lose our sense of purpose, meaning, or direction. We may feel stuck in a cycle of negative emotions that we can’t escape from.
• Our personal growth and development: Subconscious emotional triggers can limit our potential and prevent us from achieving our goals and dreams. We may feel afraid, insecure, or unworthy of pursuing what we want. We may also resist change and growth and settle for less than what we deserve.
As you can see, subconscious emotional triggers can have a profound and pervasive effect on our lives. They can hold us back from living the life we want and deserve. They can also cause us to suffer unnecessarily.
However, there is hope. Subconscious emotional triggers are not permanent or fixed. They can be changed and eliminated with the right knowledge, skills, and tools. In the next chapters, we will learn how to do so.