I'm scared of what my personality is coming to be. I recently broke up with my wife that I love but had no passion (kissing) with (2.5 yrs). I feel like I've controlled her a lot, do not want her to express a lot of her own self because I am very meticulous and strategic about my words, how I talk, how I present myself, etc. I think that's the same thing that happened with my ex girlfriend of two years. They love me for who I am, I'm a fun loving guy, good looking, good personality, morals, understanding, extremely caring, etc, but I'm wayyy too much of a presence and seemingly controlling to my loved ones. [more inside]
posted by Vandal on Oct 31, 2009 - 46 answers

Can anyone with good academic-library-fu point me toward an article that argues for cultural differences between how certain keys or chords are interpreted affectively? Specifically, I'm looking for a source for the claim that perceiving minor chords as sad is specifically a Western thing, and that non-Westerners don't perceive minor chords as sad and/or they perceive other types of chords as sad (or whatever). [more inside]
posted by Dr. Send on Sep 6, 2009 - 14 answers

Do you have a soft heart? How did you get one? [more inside]
posted by milarepa on Aug 28, 2009 - 40 answers

Boyfriend's Strange Personality-What Could it Be? [more inside]
posted by ~Sushma~ on Jul 27, 2009 - 66 answers

How do I deal with my extended family if every moment I spend with them results in emotional turmoil and descents into deep depression much like their own? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 25, 2009 - 23 answers

Meltdownfilter: after some traumas I finally fell apart and I'm scared about what, and how long it will take to recover. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 21, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm in love with a girl 3000 miles away, what do I do? [more inside]
posted by weh546 on Jul 20, 2009 - 37 answers

Is there a website that lets you search for songs by emotion? i.e. I want to find songs in [genre] that relate to [emotion]. [more inside]
posted by rachaelfaith on May 9, 2009 - 9 answers

My facial expressions don't match my emotions. Sometimes when I think I'm being friendly and warm, I actually look condescending, anxious or just weird. As far as I know I'm neither crazy nor autistic. How can I fix this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 26, 2009 - 21 answers

Please point me to some examples of people/characters imploring their future selves not to forget, diminish, or dismiss the experiences of the present self. [more inside]
posted by Beardman on Apr 20, 2009 - 21 answers

I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of a bunch of organic molecules that represent positive traits, feelings, etc. More along the lines of serotonin representing happiness than ethanol or caffeine representing happiness. What are your ideas for emotions/ traits and their corresponding chemicals?
posted by i_am_a_fiesta on Feb 24, 2009 - 19 answers

Nonlamephotopraphyfilter: What are some websites, books, and/or magazines that have some neat photos? [more inside]
posted by sixcolors on Feb 22, 2009 - 17 answers

Is anyone doing real-time emotion detection in video games? [more inside]
posted by By The Grace of God on Nov 16, 2008 - 10 answers

I'm looking for news stories, blog posts, photos, video clips, mash-ups or anything else that captures the impact and emotion of Barack Obama's victory, especially on a personal level. [more inside]
posted by Jaybo on Nov 5, 2008 - 15 answers

What are some vivid examples of nostalgia in film and literature? [more inside]
posted by Beardman on Oct 27, 2008 - 30 answers

Is there an emotion that specifically means "feeling morally superior?" [more inside]
posted by PsychoKick on Oct 24, 2008 - 33 answers

How can I be calm when someone around me is angry? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 21, 2008 - 21 answers

How can I learn to talk through my emotions when I'm very upset instead of shutting down? [more inside]
posted by kerfuffled on May 7, 2008 - 25 answers

"Emotionally ambivalent" Christmas Songs? [more inside]
posted by Jaybo on Dec 15, 2007 - 40 answers

Some of my emotions seem tied solely to music. What is going on? [more inside]
posted by Phyltre on Oct 4, 2007 - 23 answers

So, how you do contend with massive, hemorrhaging, overwhelming emotion? This is also sort of a LDR question too. [more inside]
posted by bluenausea on Sep 11, 2007 - 10 answers

What can I do to develop my emotional muscles? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 1, 2007 - 16 answers

Does anyone know the source of a description by a sceptic attending a nazi rally in the 30s who was unable to resist shouting along with everyone else? I'm sure I read about it somewhere.
posted by leibniz on Mar 17, 2007 - 13 answers

How do we figure out whether we're financially and emotionally ready to buy our first home? We have a really good handle on what we can afford, which neighborhoods we like best, what houses are going for. We've read "Home Buying for Dummies." We've saved up an OK chunk of cash. But my husband and I are both worried, and for different reasons. [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak on Jan 7, 2007 - 32 answers

How do I overcome being an emotional failure? [more inside]
posted by misled on Jan 3, 2007 - 22 answers

Humans sometimes feel depressed or anxious with no apparent environmental cause. Does this happen in animals? Or do humans possibly have brains that are too evolved/sophisticated for our own good, in a way? [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell on May 4, 2006 - 24 answers

Music and emotions [more inside]
posted by knave on Mar 20, 2006 - 19 answers

My uncle is battling leukemia. What to do? [more inside]
posted by lorrer on Mar 2, 2005 - 6 answers

Can anyone recommend some good online resources that might help someone going through the breakup of a long term relationship? More along the lines of emotional support rather than legal.
posted by btwillig on Apr 20, 2004 - 20 answers