Learn to Be Emotionless & Cope with Whatever Life Throws at You

Co-authored by Adam Dorsay, PsyD

Last Updated: November 13, 2024 Fact Checked

Sometimes, enough is enough. If you feel like you really need a break from emotional pain (or, just from other people), you might decide that you'd like to create some distance from your circle for a while. Though down the line, you'll probably feel better when you open yourself back up to connection, it can be helpful to give yourself some space in the short term—and luckily, it's easier to do than you'd think. We're going to walk you through everything you need to know; read on for more.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Acting Heartless to Avoid Emotional Pain

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1
Keep yourself busy. Keeping busy is shown to improve contentment. Deliberately choose activities that drive you toward your goals or somehow benefit you. Offering yourself incentives will help justify staying busy.
- It also allows you to pour your energy into work, working out, cleaning your house, etc., rather than seeking out emotional ties.
2
Keep relationships on your terms. Avoid letting people get too close or control you with promises, pleas, or apologies. Define the types of relationships you want to be in, and have only those relationships. Be in control of how invested you are in any given relationship.
- Having high-quality friendships is more important than having lots of friends. ^{[1]
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  Expert Source
  
  Adam Dorsay, PsyD
  Licensed Psychologist & TEDx Speaker
  
  Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.}
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3
Let go of your past emotions. The term “emotional debt” is often used to describe emotions that we have never fully healed from and allow to play out repeatedly in our day to day lives. You should be honest with yourself about any past emotions that are still lingering, consciously breaking the patterns that you have developed as a response to those emotions, and step outside your comfort zone. This will allow you to be aware of how past emotions influence you and to move past them. ^{[2]
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- You might think that your comfort zone protects you from bad feelings, but by staying there, you are letting those unpleasant emotions hold you back. When you step outside of it, you can take control over them.
4
Avoid setting specific expectations. When some experience or person falls short of the expectations you place on them, it hurts. Remove as many expectations as you can from your life, and when you do make an expectation, keep it as broad and undefined as possible. This stops you from subjecting yourself to emotional pain for everything that doesn’t go exactly how you’d like it to.
- You can also change your expectations to be more realistic. For example, you expecting that today will be warm is much less likely to disappoint than expecting that today will be exactly 73 degrees Fahrenheit, breezy, and sunny.
If you are overwhelmed by past traumas and cannot seem to let the emotion go, you may need the help of a professional psychologist. Issues like chronic depression or anxiety should not be ignored. Your therapist can help you decide what clinical approaches and/or medications might be appropriate to help you move past your emotional debt. ^{[3]
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Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: Am I Emotionally Detached?

Emotional detachment—also called emotional unavailability—is an unwillingness to connect with other people on an emotional level. Emotional detachment can be a personality trait or the result of trauma earlier in your life. While some people purposefully detach from their emotions, others do it unconsciously. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive quiz to help you figure out if you might be emotionally detached.

1 of 12

Do you ever have trouble opening up to people?

Nope. Sometimes I feel like I open up a little too much.

Not really. I only open up to people I’m comfortable with, though.

Sometimes. I try to open up, but it can take time (and patience).

Yes. I don’t open up to people easily and feel like it causes problems.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Acting Heartless to Stop Being Used and Get Ahead

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1
Know what you want. It is likely that you already know what you don’t want in your life. What you need to do next is identify your preferences, and then pinpoint exactly what you do want in life. The more clear you desires without reservation, the more effectively you can work toward them. ^{[4]
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Research source}
- If you know what you want, it is harder for others to convince you to do their bidding. This is crucial both to generating your own success and to stop having your time and energy used by someone else.
- Sometimes guilt and stress can cause you to work against what you desire. Knowing what you want will make you stronger when facing these difficult situations.
2
Communicate your desires. Once you know exactly what you want, it is likely that you’ll have to delegate some things to other people. Communicate exactly what you want and expect to those around you. Do not compromise on your desires. ^{[5]
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- You might have to trade some of your time and talent to get another person to do what you need, but set boundaries and do not let the other person use your desires against you.
3
Say “No” to anything that doesn’t benefit you. When you agree to do things that will not benefit your goals, you are wasting time. Do not give your time away. Time is very valuable, don't let others that don't mean anything take it. Engage only in activities that further your personal goals, and politely decline any other requests or invitations.
- Be direct. Say “No, I cannot (or will not) do that.” If you prefer to add an explanation, such as “I don’t have the time to commit,” that is okay, but not necessary. ^{[6]
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- This can be difficult when are being guilted. Things like charities that you do not support, friends that want your help, and even family that demands too much of your time can be serious hurdles to your success. Say “No.”
4
Consider cooperating with others. Whether you are speaking for yourself or your company, organization, community, etc., it is often hard to accept the fact that you can benefit by working with other human beings, but it’s true. Cooperating with others can be a healthier and more effective way to reach your goals. Make sure that the relationship remains mutually beneficial and that neither party is being used. ^{[7]
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- Relationships go two ways. When you are working with other people, make sure you give as much as you take. This will help you build stronger professional and social relationships.
You will often be asked for help in some way. You should understand why you are being asked and what the other person hopes to gain from asking. Understand why someone wants something from you, and then you can decide if it benefits you in such a way that you’d be willing to do it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Acting Heartless to Avoid People

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1
Avoid small talk. Technology has made avoiding small talk easier than ever. Pretend to take a call, or make it a point to always have headphones in to prevent strangers and acquaintances from engaging. You can also cut the conversation short at anytime with some variation of “I’m too busy to talk.”
- For example, if your co-worker meets you at the snack machine, just cut them off with a quick line like “Can’t talk. I have a deadline.”
2
Decline invitations to social gatherings. There is no need to be offensive when you decline. You should, however, make your decision firm and final. If you make up a flimsy excuse as to why you can’t attend, the host/hostess is likely to accommodate you and insist you come. ^{[8]
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- A great way to avoid nearly any event is to say something to the effect of “I’m sorry. I already have other plans.”
- You do not have to explain yourself if you decline an invitation. You can simply say, "I'm sorry, but I can't make it."
3
Refuse to do favors. Favors sometimes feel like chores that you must do. Instead, make saying “No” an option and say it confidently. Again, you do not need to be rude to get your point across.
- If your friend asks you to house-sit, simply say “I’m sorry. That doesn’t work for me.” You can offer an explanation if you’d like, but there is no need for excuses.
If you feel like your friends and family are a problem, it might be healthier to build a new support system than to cut yourself off from people. Try meeting new people with similar interests to your own. Look for people who hang out in the same places, work in the same field, or generally like the same things as you do.

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Question

How can I control my emotions?

Paul Chernyak, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Paul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.

Paul Chernyak, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Expert Answer

Learn to feel and observe them fully without numbing them out. Have a curious attitude without becoming attached to them. Realize that your emotions are not you and are temporary. Try meditation as well.

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Question

How do I kill my emotions?

Paul Chernyak, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Paul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.

Paul Chernyak, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Expert Answer

You cannot kill your emotions. They will always be there and numbing them will only create greater mental and physical problems in the future. Learn to control your emotions or feel them fully without getting attached.

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Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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Take opportunities for yourself without hesitation.

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Do not feel guilty.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Consider not being heartless. An individual can only do so much alone, to make real progress in your life, health, relationships, and career, try to cooperate with other people. It’s more painful to have a heart, but it helps.
Be confident. Consider yourself the center of the world to more easily ignore other people’s problems.

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Warnings

Be prepared for others to treat you cold.

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Some people may not like that you have become heartless toward them.

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Learn to Be Emotionless & Cope with Whatever Life Throws at You

Steps

Acting Heartless to Avoid Emotional Pain

wikiHow Quiz: Am I Emotionally Detached?

Do you ever have trouble opening up to people?

Acting Heartless to Stop Being Used and Get Ahead

Acting Heartless to Avoid People

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