Chapter 17: Self control

Self-control is often viewed as one of the most powerful emotions we possess. It is the ability to understand and steer our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors in the face of temptation or distraction. It may sound simple when put into words, in practice but self-control is one of the most challenging qualities to develop. Mastering it can have huge effects on both personal and professional aspects of our lives. It allows us to make better decisions, resist distractions, and ultimately achieve our long-term goals.

Growing up, we are constantly reminded of the importance of discipline, whether it’s through doing our homework on time, resisting the urge to eat sweets before the main meal or sticking to a fixed budget. These may seem like small acts of control, but each one shapes our ability to control life better with a clear sense of the surrounding. Self-control requires us to look beyond the immediate and focus on the bigger picture, teaching us patience and persistence.

I’ve learned, especially during my core teenage years, that self-control is not about denying ourselves pleasure or joy, but about finding balance. For instance, the urge to binge watch an entire season of a TV show might feel satisfying in the moment but the regret of ignoring responsibilities for those temporary pleasures, tails along with it. It’s in these moments of temptation that self-control tests our willpower, asking us to choose what’s best for our future selves rather than our temporary pleasures. One solution to this is issue, finding balance between responsibilities and entertainment and to control ourselves from procrastination. 

For me, self-control is closely linked to discipline. One of my personal experiences with self-control was preparing for exams in school. While it was tempting to spend hours on social media or talk to friends, I knew that I had to set boundaries if I wanted to succeed. Every time I resisted distractions, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. This helped me build a habit of focusing on what truly mattered and realizing that sacrifice in the short term could lead to my success on a long term.

However, self-control is not just about achieving academic or career success. It plays a critical role in how we manage relationships and our emotional well-being. Our ability to pause and listen in between a heated argument is one example of self control in a relationship. It is definitely not easy to practice this but it might even save a relationship from being destroyed.

So, let us all try to control ourselves and understand that our little sacrifices of pleasure now can present us beautiful gifts in return later.