The Story of Excitement: Turning Your Enthusiasm into Positive Action
- TFH
- Mar 22
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 24
The Emotions Library project is a collection of stories about the emotion(s) we experience. Stories bring meaning and clarity, helping us understand our emotions better. We do this so everyone can access knowledge, gain emotional literacy, and develop self-awareness.
Experiencing excitement informs us that we are anticipating something meaningful, whether it's a new opportunity, a goal, or a significant change. It signals that we are emotionally engaged and ready for what's to come. Excitement often reflects our passion, enthusiasm, and readiness to take action, suggesting that we are mentally and physically prepared to dive into a new experience. It also highlights what matters most to us, helping us recognize our desires, interests, and aspirations.
Story: Feeling eager or thrilled about something upcoming or desired.
Impulse: Act with enthusiasm, talk about it or anticipate the outcome.
Etymology: From Latin excitare, meaning "to stir up" or "arouse."
Purpose: Excitement signals anticipation and readiness for new experiences or opportunities.
Emotional Regulation and Journaling
In partnership with Calm3D, we provide a safe space for self-regulation, to feel peace, safety and security. At the same time, reflect on your own emotional experience and experience your exciting story.
Visit www.playcalm3d.com as you reflect and experience peace as you contemplate the emotions within you.
Reflective Questions
What is driving your excitement?
How can you channel this energy productively?
How can you make the most of what you’re looking forward to?
Feeling Eager or Thrilled About Something Upcoming or Desired
Yushin had been counting down the days for weeks, eagerly anticipating the moment when everything he had worked for would finally come together. It was a Saturday morning, and his heart raced with excitement. Today was the day—the day he would finally take his first solo trip abroad.
As a father of two young kids, Yushin rarely took time for himself. His days were filled with school runs, meetings, grocery shopping, and the endless cycle of laundry and meal prep. But after years of putting his dreams on hold, Yushin had finally decided to take the plunge and do something just for himself. He had always dreamed of exploring new cultures, meeting people from different walks of life, and stepping outside his comfort zone. Now, after months of planning, it was all happening.
The night before, he barely slept. He kept imagining all the experiences awaiting him—breathtaking sunsets, new tastes, wandering through foreign streets, and having time to reflect without the constant demands of home life. Each thought made his pulse quicken with anticipation. But along with that excitement was a flutter of nerves. What if things didn’t go as planned? What if he got lost, missed his flight, or felt overwhelmed in a strange place?
But then Yushin smiled to himself, reminding himself that this was the moment he had worked toward. He wasn’t just going on a vacation; he was stepping into a new chapter of his life. He had earned this. The excitement bubbling inside him wasn’t just about the trip—it was about reclaiming his sense of self, rediscovering his passions, and embracing the freedom he had so long neglected.
As he packed his suitcase with clothes and items he would need for his travels, he couldn’t help but giggle with joy. The little things—like picking out the perfect pair of shoes for exploring, or carefully choosing which book to bring for downtime—felt like part of the adventure. He took a moment to reflect on his journey, both literal and figurative. The excitement he felt wasn’t just about the destination. It was about the courage it took to embark on this journey, to step outside his comfort zone and prioritize himself for the first time in a long while.
When the time came to head to the airport, Yushin could hardly contain his energy. His eyes sparkled with joy as he checked in at the counter and walked toward his gate. He was finally doing it. He was finally embracing the adventure of a lifetime. As he boarded the plane, he couldn’t help but look out the window and think, This is only the beginning.
As the plane lifted off the ground, Yushin felt a surge of gratitude and excitement rush through him. There was a whole world out there, waiting for him to explore it—and for the first time in a long time, he felt truly free. The thrill of the unknown, the promise of new experiences, and the joy of embarking on something all his own filled his heart with pride.
This was Yushin’s moment. Excitement, for him, wasn’t just about where he was going—it was about the fact that he dared to leap.
Impulse: Act with Enthusiasm or Anticipate the Outcome
When excitement takes hold, it’s hard to stay still. You talk about it, you share your plans with friends, and you begin to imagine how everything will unfold. That surge of energy can feel almost irresistible, and it can lead us to take action. It’s that moment when you can’t stop thinking about what’s next and start making plans.
But what happens when that excitement feels like it might get out of hand? When enthusiasm begins to overwhelm you, the key is to channel it productively. Rather than rushing into things without thinking them through, use that eager energy to create a clear plan. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps and use your excitement as fuel to propel you toward achieving them.
The Origins of ‘Excitement’
The word "excited" comes from the Latin excitare, which means "to stir up" or "arouse." It’s a word that describes a state of heightened energy, one that awakens your body and mind to the possibilities ahead. In its most basic sense, excitement is about stirring up the inner drive that pushes you toward something greater. It’s about feeling alive in anticipation of what’s to come, ready to dive into the unknown with enthusiasm.
Just like the Latin root suggests, excitement "stirs" us to action, arousing a sense of readiness for new experiences and opportunities. That stir in your soul is the beginning of growth, change, and achievement.
Purpose: Excitement Signals Anticipation and Readiness
Excitement is a clear signal that something meaningful is ahead. It arises when we anticipate something we deeply desire or look forward to, whether it's a new opportunity or a significant change. This emotion energizes us, helping us prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically for what's to come.
Excitement motivates us to take action and embrace the unknown. It keeps us focused and optimistic, as seen when Yushin eagerly prepares for his solo trip. This feeling not only pushes us toward our goals but also helps us stay engaged in the process, reminding us of the value of what we’re about to experience.
In short, excitement is more than a passing feeling—it’s the drive that propels us forward, signaling readiness for growth, change, and new opportunities.
Emotional Literacy: Recognizing and Channeling Excitement for Personal Growth
While excitement is often seen as a positive and motivating emotion, it’s crucial to develop emotional literacy—our ability to recognize, understand, and manage our emotions. Emotional literacy helps us navigate the full spectrum of emotions, allowing us to process them effectively and use them to our advantage. When it comes to excitement, this skill becomes especially important.
Excitement can come with a rush of energy, but if we don’t understand it, it can quickly turn into anxiety, stress, or even frustration. For instance, the initial thrill of something exciting can be paired with an underlying fear of failure or overwhelm, especially if we’re unsure how to handle the heightened anticipation. By recognizing these emotional layers, we can better manage how excitement affects our thoughts and behaviors.
Recognizing Excitement
Emotional literacy starts with self-awareness—being able to identify excitement as it arises. It might show up as butterflies in your stomach, an increased heart rate, or an intense desire to talk about the thing you’re excited about. By recognizing these physical signs early on, you can check in with yourself: Why am I feeling excited? Is it because something is going to happen soon that I’ve been looking forward to? Or is it the anticipation of success and growth?
Understanding that excitement isn’t just a rush of energy but a deeper signal of what matters to you is key to processing it healthily.
Managing Excitement
Once you understand the excitement, the next step is managing it. Here are some ways emotional literacy can help you keep excitement in check and use it productively:
Ground Yourself: While excitement can be exhilarating, it can also feel overwhelming. Practice grounding techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness to help calm your mind when the excitement starts to feel like too much.
Balance Enthusiasm with Realism: It’s easy to get swept away by the emotional surge, but emotional literacy encourages a more balanced approach. Acknowledge your excitement, but also keep in mind the potential challenges that may come with it. This helps keep your expectations in check and allows you to approach the upcoming experience with clarity.
Use Excitement as Fuel: When managed well, excitement becomes a tool for productivity. Channel that energy into positive action—set realistic goals, create a plan and focus on what you can control. Let the feeling of excitement propel you toward your objectives with enthusiasm and focus.
Embracing Excitement as Part of Emotional Growth
Excitement, like all emotions, is a natural part of the human experience. It’s an opportunity to grow emotionally by learning how to navigate intense feelings, be present in the moment, and use emotional energy in a way that aligns with your goals. The more you can understand and manage excitement, the more you’ll be able to harness its power to move you forward on your journey—whether it’s toward a new opportunity, personal growth, or a life-changing experience.
By developing emotional literacy, you give yourself the tools to not only understand your emotions but also use them to thrive.
Reflective Questions
To make the most of your excitement, it’s important to pause and reflect on its deeper meaning. Here are a few questions to help you channel your energy effectively:
What is driving your excitement?
What is it about the upcoming event, opportunity, or change that’s making you feel so eager? Understanding the root cause of your excitement can help you focus your energy in the right direction.
How can you channel this energy productively?
Excitement can be overwhelming if not managed well. How can you use that energy to take meaningful steps toward your goals? Break down what you’re excited about into achievable actions and work toward them with enthusiasm.
How can you make the most of what you’re looking forward to?
Instead of just waiting for the outcome, how can you fully embrace the process? Can you savor the small moments leading up to the event or opportunity, and engage with each step along the way? Find ways to appreciate the excitement as part of the overall experience.
Final Thoughts
Excitement is a powerful emotion—it’s the spark that lights the fire of possibility. It’s not just about being eager for what’s to come; it’s about using that energy to fuel your actions and embrace the journey ahead. Whether you’re gearing up for a big change, an exciting opportunity, or a personal challenge, let excitement be the driving force that moves you forward. After all, it’s not just about the destination, but how you get there.
To truly understand where our excitement is coming from, tools like Emoli Cards can help dig a bit deeper. They help us recognize whether our excitement is just a reaction to something happening in the moment, or if it’s tied to a deeper desire—like the need for change, growth, or new opportunities. By understanding what’s behind our excitement, we can better appreciate the energy it’s bringing, and what it might be trying to tell us about what we truly want or need.
When we combine this emotional awareness with the ability to focus on activities that truly matter to us, we get more in tune with our inner world. We start to notice what triggers our excitement and what’s really at stake emotionally. Instead of letting the rush of excitement take over, we can pause, reflect, and figure out what’s driving it and how we can use it to move forward in a positive direction. And, if we ever feel like the excitement is getting overwhelming, an Emotions-Based Coaching session can provide the clarity and guidance needed to make sure we’re channeling that energy in the best way possible.
So go ahead—get excited, take action, and make the most of the amazing things ahead!
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