There’s a core truth in emotional intelligence: whenever you notice your reactions, habits, or patterns pulling you off-course, the wisest move is to pause and reset as soon as you can.
It doesn’t matter if the shift feels uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter if it requires facing a blind spot, repairing a relationship, or unlearning an outdated pattern. Every step you take to realign with self-awareness, empathy, and healthier responses is more meaningful than staying on a path that no longer supports you.
The real cost comes from ignoring the signals, your emotions, your body, your interactions, quietly telling you it’s time to adjust.
This is emotional courage: the willingness to stop, reflect, and choose a direction that actually supports your growth.