I was in the kitchen, slicing onions and preparing dinner, when my son’s loud yelling interrupted the peace.

If you’ve ever thought a missed deadline or an email typo is a crisis, try living with a teenager whose world collapses every time something happens to their mobile phone.

When I entered the living room, I tried to contain my laughter. It wasn’t funny—but oh, it really was.

Here’s what happened:

Despite my repeated reminders to “never leave the charger on the table unattended”—because we have a bunny who will chew anything—my son forgot. Sure enough, the fluffy, innocent-looking menace had gotten to the charger, gnawing through it like a gourmet treat.

Now, my son was losing his cool. Frustration turned to anger, which he directed at the bunny. I stepped in and sided with the bunny. “He’s an animal—he doesn’t know better,” I explained. “But you do. You made a mistake.”

Oh, how my sarcasm would come back to haunt me.

Half an hour later, my son came to me, calmer. “Maman, can I ask you something? I need advice.”

“Go ahead, chérie,” I replied, expecting some dramatic, hormone-filled confession.

Instead, he said:

“If you did something that might hurt someone, would you tell them? Or would you keep it a secret?”

I paused, suspicious. “Well, I think honesty is important. But if sharing would hurt them and won’t change anything, maybe you don’t need to. Why?”

Then he dropped the bomb.

“I’m really sorry, Maman. I was so mad you wouldn’t buy me a new charger, so I took scissors and… cut your iPhone charger in half.”

If you’ve ever wanted to explode but couldn’t, you’ll understand how I felt in that moment. I silently thanked my mantra: “Pause—what a pleasure.” Even though Mount Etna was erupting inside me, I calmly sliced my onions as if nothing had happened.

I thanked him for his honesty, explained that we don’t take our anger out on others, and grounded him from his phone and TV for a week. To his credit, he accepted the consequences like a mature little adult. A few days later, I replaced the charger (honestly, I needed a new one anyway).

How did I stay so calm?

Let me be clear—a year ago, this would’ve gone very differently.

I would’ve reacted impulsively, letting unresolved emotional triggers take over. I might’ve yelled, lashed out, or said something I’d later regret.

Feeling triggered is exhausting. It drains your energy, keeps you stuck in anger or resentment, and can even harm your physical health if left unchecked.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

Emotional triggers are not your enemy—they’re your greatest teachers.

They reveal the wounds we carry and invite us to heal.

According to Mindful Health Solutions,

"Emotional triggers have a profound impact on our lives, often dictating our reactions to a variety of situations in ways we might not fully understand. Recognizing and managing these triggers is crucial for improving our mental health, enhancing our well-being, and gaining a greater understanding of ourselves."

What You’ll Learn in This Edition:

• The strategies I’ve used to identify and heal my emotional triggers.
• How mastering triggers has transformed my life.
• Actionable steps you can take to heal and self-regulate.

Let’s dive in.

Creative writing is my passion. I share it to bring light into people’s lives. This newsletter is for those who want to become a valued member of the Heal with EQ Community, gaining access to in-depth strategies, worksheets with reflection prompts, and actionable tools to build a life you love through emotional intelligence.