Emotional intelligence is more than just a buzzword. It’s a pivotal factor that governs our interactions, our decisions, and how we perceive the world around us.

You might be wondering, how do emotionally intelligent people navigate through life? How do they manage to stay calm amidst chaos, make thoughtful decisions, and maintain healthy relationships?

Through deep introspection and understanding of psychological principles, I’ve identified seven things that these individuals consistently keep to themselves.

Emotional intelligence isn’t just about what you showcase to the world, but also about the private practices you maintain within yourself.

1) Their feelings

Emotionally intelligent people are in tune with their feelings, but they do not let their emotions dictate their actions or conversations.

They understand that emotions are transient and thus, do not make impulsive decisions based on them.

Instead, they take a step back, acknowledge their feelings, and then decide the best course of action. This doesn’t mean they suppress their emotions. They simply choose to address them privately and constructively.

By keeping their emotions to themselves, emotionally intelligent people prevent unnecessary drama and conflict.

They focus on maintaining a balanced and rational perspective, even when confronted with emotionally charged situations.

2) Their personal successes

We live in a world where every achievement is often broadcasted across various platforms. But emotionally intelligent people tend to keep their personal successes to themselves.

This might seem counterintuitive. After all, isn’t success meant to be celebrated and shared?

While that’s true, those with high emotional intelligence understand the delicate balance between sharing triumphs and coming off as boastful.

They believe in the quiet celebration of their victories, recognizing that success is a personal journey and not a competition.

They also understand that while it’s okay to share accomplishments, overdoing it can create a perceived gap or breed resentment among peers.

By keeping their successes private, they display humility, maintain harmony in relationships, and foster an environment of mutual respect and admiration.

3) Their future plans

Emotionally intelligent people have a clear vision for their future, but they often choose to keep their plans to themselves.

They understand that talking about their ambitious plans can invite unnecessary scrutiny, opinions, or even naysayers.

Instead of discussing their future goals openly, they focus on action. They believe that actions speak louder than words and prefer to let their achievements do the talking.

By not revealing their plans prematurely, they also avoid the pressure of external expectations.

This allows them to stay flexible in their approach and make adjustments as needed without fearing judgment.

In essence, they understand the power of silent progress and the element of surprise that comes with unexpected success.

4) Their acts of kindness

Emotionally intelligent people often engage in acts of kindness, but they choose to keep these deeds to themselves.

Interestingly, it is a well-accepted fact that the happiest people are often those who perform random acts of kindness.

However, these individuals understand that the true value of kindness lies in the act itself and not in the recognition it might bring. They believe that kindness should be unconditional and unadvertised.

By keeping their good deeds a secret, they preserve the purity of their intentions and keep the focus on the act rather than on themselves.

This silent altruism allows them to contribute positively to the world around them while maintaining a sense of humble satisfaction.

5) Their personal struggles

Life comes with its share of ups and downs, and emotionally intelligent people are no strangers to this. They too face personal struggles, but they often choose to combat these battles privately.

They understand that everyone is fighting their own battles and adding their woes into the mix might burden others.

They do not use their struggles as a means to seek attention or sympathy.

Instead, they focus on finding solutions and learning from their experiences. They believe that every struggle is an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.

By keeping their struggles to themselves, they exemplify resilience and strength, silently inspiring those around them with their ability to navigate through life’s stormy seas.

6) Their vulnerabilities

While we often associate emotional intelligence with strength and resilience, emotionally intelligent people too have their moments of vulnerability. But these are moments they often keep to themselves.

In a society that applauds invulnerability, showing one’s softer side might seem like a weakness. But those with high emotional intelligence understand that it’s an inherent part of being human.

They embrace their vulnerabilities privately, using them as opportunities for self-reflection and personal growth.

They understand that acknowledging their weaknesses doesn’t make them less, rather it strengthens their emotional resilience.

They maintain a sense of personal integrity and authenticity, showing the world their strength, but preserving their softness for themselves.

7) Their inner peace

Emotionally intelligent people understand the importance of maintaining inner peace. It’s a state they cherish and work hard to preserve, often choosing to keep it to themselves.

They realize that inner peace isn’t something that can be shared or transferred. It’s a deeply personal journey of acceptance, mindfulness, and self-love.

Rather than seeking validation or contentment from external sources, they find it within themselves. They understand that happiness is an inside job and that inner peace is the foundation of it.

They foster a strong sense of self-reliance and resilience, and inspire those around them through their calm demeanor and balanced approach to life.

Understanding emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence, often referred to as EQ, is a complex and multifaceted concept that goes beyond just managing emotions.

It’s a unique interplay of self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and social skills. These traits allow individuals to navigate through life in a balanced and emotionally mature way.

Interestingly, emotional intelligence is not fixed. It’s a skill that can be honed with practice and self-reflection. It’s about cultivating a deeper connection with oneself and learning how to manage the ebb and flow of life’s emotional tides.

With the ability to introspect and understand their actions and emotions, emotionally intelligent people are better equipped to learn from their experiences. They view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.

Because at the end of the day, emotional intelligence is less about mastering emotions and more about harmoniously coexisting with them.

Embrace your true nature

Emotionally intelligent people understand that self-awareness is the bedrock of emotional intelligence. They know that to truly manage and understand their emotions, they need to first understand themselves.

They need to embrace their strengths, their weaknesses, their quirks, and their passions.

Emotionally intelligent people do not fear their true nature, they embrace it. They understand that their emotions are not something to be hidden or suppressed but rather acknowledged and understood.

They realize that it’s okay to feel a certain way, it’s okay to have certain desires, and it’s okay to be different.

By embracing their true nature, they create a safe space for themselves where they can experience their emotions without judgment or fear.

This authenticity allows them to be in harmony with their emotions rather than in conflict with them.

I encourage you to embrace your true nature. Understand that your emotions are a part of you, they make you who you are. Allow yourself to feel them, understand them, and grow with them.

Because at the end of the day, emotional intelligence is not about becoming someone else; it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.