2. Why is emotional literacy important?

Developing emotional literacy can help lead a more balanced and fulfilling life. Emotional literacy development—from recognizing and naming emotions to empathetic listening and conflict resolution—can improve emotional intelligence, which includes not only the recognition and identification of emotions.

The more accurately we understand what emotion we are experiencing, the better we can address needs. For example:

·       If feeling sad and lonely, offer a hug or another expression of warmth.

·       If disgusted by vegetables, gradually get used to them because they are healthy.

·       If angry, find a way to vent or acknowledge that we all get angry sometimes, like when we have to go to work. In any case, we try to understand emotions and respond to them as legitimate and appropriate.

But if we ignore emotions, they will not disappear; instead, they will become a complex tangle, making it incredibly hard to understand what we feel and what we truly want. However, emotions are not commands, and throwing plates is a behavior that shouldn’t be accepted unconditionally. It’s better to encourage more appropriate behavior to express needs and never shame someone for their "wrong" behavior.

Teaching emotional literacy to an angry crowd might be too late, though it would be great if we could recognize at least a few important feelings, accept them, and address the real issues behind them. However, let those who’ve shaped the education system over the last 20 years gnaw their nails. It would also not be very respectful to teach one’s "wise interpretations" about what those expressing anger truly feel or about the economic insecurity behind their outbursts against minority groups. But what should I do with my own fear, anger, and helplessness? Maybe I should relax a bit and join those comfortably settled in the Paupys district of Vilnius, who keep inviting: “Not to protest, but to feast.” Do I have the right to step back from the news and casually wave my feet on a folding chair by the lake while the planet is burning, migrants are stuck between two borders, and relatives are putting each other down on social media? My answer is yes, I can sit and face the sun and wind, but that’s not the same as sitting on a folding chair for too long.