Owning My Emotions Through Words

Hiya. I’m Ewan. I’m 15, from Scotland, and I want to tell you how something I thought was just “school stuff” has actually helped me stop losing it and hurting people I care about—word choice.

Now, I’m not gonna lie. I’ve got ADHD, and reading or writing is like running up a muddy hill. On top of that, I’ve got dyslexia, so words on a page? They sometimes look like they’re dancing about, trying to wind me up. And the worst bit? I’ve got a temper like a storm in a teacup. A small thing happens, and it feels like a bomb goes off in my head. It’s not just shouting or slamming doors—I’ve broken stuff, said things I regret, and scared my wee sister once. I hate that.

So, word choice. You’re probably thinking, “How’s that gonna help with all this, mate?” Here’s how.

Finding Words When You’re Boiling Inside

When I’m angry, it’s like my brain short-circuits. I don’t know what I’m feeling, let alone how to say it. That’s when the anger wins. But when I started thinking about words more—what they mean, how they feel—it gave me a kind of toolkit.

For example, instead of thinking, “I’m mad,” I’ve learned to dig a bit deeper. Am I frustrated? Annoyed? Upset? Furious? See, there’s a difference. “Frustrated” feels like a roadblock; “furious” feels like a fireball. Knowing which one I’m feeling helps me cool down, because I can name it. Once I’ve got the word, I can deal with it. It's like shining a torch in a dark room—it makes the shadows less scary.

Words Are Like a Pause Button

When you’ve got ADHD, pausing feels impossible. Your brain’s going 100 miles an hour, and stopping to think? Forget it. But focusing on the right word forces me to slow down. It’s like this: if you’re about to explode at someone and you think, “What do I actually want to say?” it gives your brain a moment to catch up with your feelings. That pause can be the difference between shouting and taking a breath.

Telling My Story

I used to hate writing. Words were my enemy—always getting jumbled up, laughing at me from the page. But then I started learning about word choice, and it clicked. Words aren’t just tools for essays. They’re how I can tell my story.

Take the word “angry.” If I only ever say I’m “angry,” people just see me as this shouty guy who can’t control himself. But if I say, “I feel overwhelmed,” or “I’m scared I’ll mess things up,” it’s like opening a door to what’s really going on inside. People listen. They understand. And that feels better than breaking stuff, trust me.

Turning Chaos into Calm

There’s this thing my teacher said once. She told me that words can shape how we think. Like, if you say “I’m hopeless,” you start to believe it. But if you say, “I’m trying,” or “I can do this,” it changes how you see yourself. So now, when I’m spiralling, I try to talk to myself in better words. Instead of saying, “I’m useless,” I say, “I’m learning.” It doesn’t fix everything, but it stops me from sinking further.

Why It Matters

When I lose my temper, I’m not just hurting myself. I’m hurting people around me—my friends, my family. And that’s not who I want to be. Word choice has given me a way to fight back, not with fists or shouting, but with understanding. It’s not easy, and I mess up loads, but it’s a start.

If you’re like me—struggling to keep it together, scared of your own anger—try this. Start with words. Learn them. Use them. They’re not just school stuff. They’re armour, a torch, and a ladder all rolled into one. And they might just help you the way they’ve helped me.

Cheers for reading.

Ewan ✌️

1. Look at the excerpt beginning with "I’ve got ADHD" and ending with "my head."

Why does the writer find it difficult to stay calm during moments of stress?

The writer explains that having ADHD causes their brain to feel overwhelmed and chaotic, making it hard to process emotions clearly.
They also describe how anger feels sudden and uncontrollable, like a "bomb goes off," showing how quickly their temper escalates without warning.

2. Look at the excerpt beginning with "That’s when the anger wins" and ending with "like a torch in a dark room."

How does the writer convey their frustration with trying to control their emotions?

The phrase "the anger wins" personifies their emotions, suggesting that anger feels like an external force overpowering them.
The simile "like a torch in a dark room" conveys how finding the right words brings clarity, contrasting with the confusion they experience during emotional outbursts.

3. Look at the excerpt beginning with "When I started thinking about words more" and ending with "helps me cool down."

Why does the writer believe word choice is an effective way to manage emotions?

Finding specific words like “frustrated” or “furious” helps the writer identify the exact emotion they’re feeling.
Naming emotions makes them feel more manageable.
Recognising differences between similar words teaches the writer to approach their feelings thoughtfully.
Understanding word meanings gives the writer a sense of control over their reactions.
The act of choosing words slows down their thoughts, helping them avoid impulsive responses.

4. Look at the sentence "Words are like a pause button."

How does this sentence connect the writer’s discussion of emotions with their use of language?

The metaphor "pause button" links the idea of word choice with taking a moment to think before reacting.
It suggests that focusing on words gives the writer time to regain control, bridging the gap between emotional chaos and calm communication.

5. Look at the excerpt beginning with "Take the word ‘angry’" and ending with "trust me."

What does the writer mean by the phrase ‘opening a door to what’s really going on’?

The writer explains that choosing specific words allows them to express their emotions honestly.
By sharing the underlying feelings behind their anger, they help others understand their perspective, which strengthens communication.

6. Look at the excerpt beginning with "There’s this thing my teacher said once" and ending with "stops me from sinking further."

How does the writer highlight the benefits of identifying emotions through word choice?

The phrase “words can shape how we think” suggests that changing language can alter perception, helping the writer see challenges more positively.
The statement “I try to talk to myself in better words” shows how the writer actively uses this technique to manage their thoughts and emotions.

7. Look at the excerpt beginning with "It’s about sticking with it" and ending with "worth keeping."

How does the writer show that self-awareness can lead to personal growth?

The phrase “one brick at a time” metaphorically compares personal growth to building a solid foundation, showing that progress is slow but meaningful.
The word “worth” highlights that the effort to rebuild is valuable, suggesting optimism about the future.

8. Look at the excerpt beginning with "Funny thing, though" and ending with "it’s a small win, but I’ll take it."

What are five positive effects the writer associates with learning and using the right words?

It helps them break life into manageable parts.
Small accomplishments, like finishing tasks, provide a sense of achievement.
Understanding emotions reduces stress.
Using words creates clarity in chaotic situations.
Finding and applying the right words builds confidence in expressing themselves.

9. Look at the excerpt beginning with "As for me?" and ending with "worth sticking around for."

How does the expression contribute to the passage’s effective conclusion?

The rhetorical question “As for me?” draws the reader’s focus to the writer’s personal reflection.
The phrase “worth sticking around for” ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing that despite challenges, life is meaningful and rewarding when approached with persistence.