External stimuli vs. internal thought

[malefide]

Do you find that your mental/emotional state is more affected by external stimuli (i.e. other people, noise, light level, weather, etc.) or by your own internally generated thoughts/ideas? When your mental/emotional state is particularly positive/negative, is it predominantly due to one or the other--external stimuli or internal factors?

[umop_3pisdn]

This depends on context. If I'm in a noisy or distracting environment then I'm going to get somewhat flustered. I'm not very good at filtering out external noise, unless something has my rapt attention. I'm pretty high on the introversion scale, and my hearing is pretty sensitive. Comparative to most other people, it doesn't take that much to overstimulate me... so I'd say my internal state is influenced by my environment at least moderately.

As far as feelings and stuff, though... they don't seem very dependent upon external reality. They seem to just originate from some place within, though where exactly seems somewhat mysterious. While an external occurrence may unearth a feeling, chances are it was sort of already there, and lurking undetected. I assume this is due to tertiary Fi? I guess some emotions seem incited by external factors, but usually in a somewhat superficial way. Usually it feels like it's just stimulating or distorting some pre-existing feelings I just may have not been paying attention to.

[malefide]

Usually it feels like it's just stimulating or distorting some pre-existing feelings I just may have not been paying attention to.

Interesting. I am very easily overstimulated too, but I often I will find that overstimulation in and of itself can drive me into a negative state of mind (i.e. frustrate me, etc.), even if I had no previous emotion internally. I can be in a perfectly calm, controlled state, and a room full of loud, chaotic people and bright lights can quickly make me irritable and highly unpleasant to be around.

[umop_3pisdn]

Interesting. I am very easily overstimulated too, but I often I will find that overstimulation in and of itself can drive me into a negative state of mind (i.e. frustrate me, etc.), even if I had no previous emotion internally. I can be in a perfectly calm, controlled state, and a room full of loud, chaotic people and bright lights can quickly make me irritable and highly unpleasant to be around.

Yes, I can get frustrated too, sometimes. But I think it's usually a sort of self-frustration, and isn't necessarily directed at the situation as a whole. It often appears more like a sort of distress brought about by discomfort, and thus not of the greatest importance, over all, since discomfort can usually be worked through in some way. So discomfort itself, usually isn't enough to put me into a negative mood, if I was in a good and receptive mood prior to that. Though I may come across as more awkward, or something. And perhaps my awkwardness would frustrate me or alienate me, should it be so significant that it bothers me. And also my tolerance level wears thinner than if it were optimal circumstances. So I tend to get tired of it quicker, I suppose.

Though if I'm, say, surrounded by loud and obnoxious people, or feel out of place or something, this will have quite the effect on my mood. For instance, loud/obnoxious/annoying people often earn a sort of silent and seething annoyance. Though I think I could probably negate these negative feelings it if I had more mental discipline.

[pinkroger]

Internal. Always.

[curiousjane]

Interesting question.

I've found weather really affects my mood. Sunshine = happy. Overcast and rainy for days = depressed. Very few people pick up on the subtleties of this change in me, but my closest friends, family and a couple of co-workers will catch on after awhile and ask what is wrong if it goes on too long.

That being said, my internal process is really what drives how I'm feeling. I can guarantee that if I am confused, frustrated, discouraged, or apathetic, it is because I'm struggling through something in my head. If I question the motives of people around me, that is internalized and contributes to the mess.

If I burrow too deeply in my own mind and consciousness and so-called "feelings", I have to stop and intentionally take in some external stimuli to snap myself out of it, before I into a mental "loop" and become completely useless at work or home. Sounds crazy, but at least I know this about myself and can prevent it!