Habits

Saying "um" a lot. Scratching your head when you are nervous. Little triggers in our life cause us to go back to our habits.  It is better than exploring unfamiliar territory.  

Aristotle said excellence is a habit, but emotions are habits too. 

Anger, loneliness, and distrust are all habits.  

Bad habits are horrible shortcuts that satisfy our minds in the moment, but hurt us in the long term.  

Once you realize your emotions are habits just like fidgeting with your pencil, then you can manage them better.