Being conscious of how you feel gives you a second perspective on your feelings, one that your rational, problem-solving mind can look at, rather than only the

Being conscious of how you feel gives you a second perspective on your feelings, one that your rational, problem-solving mind can look at, rather than only the instinctive one where all you can do is react to them. That second perspective also adds a layer of relief between you and the emotions. You're now looking at them rather than being at their mercy. You can act now. You're back in a role of agency. Even if the options available to you are limited, it's very rare that you actually do not have any, but the element of your brain that's overwhelmed by the emotions can't see that. Even if the only option you recognize from the second perspective is, "I cannot currently think of anything I can do to improve the situation, so I choose to continue with my current course of action, waiting and looking for a change I can make as things change (and things are always changing)," you're now in a situation where you've exercised some level of agency. You're not powerless. You're waiting and thinking and observing for now. And that sits differently.