Similarly, you can get stuck in a cascade of emotions by judging your feelings. If Nicole felt anxious about her relationship, then judged that anxiety as pathetic, she’d likely feel worse, not just fearful but also ashamed. When you judge your feelings, you suffer. Think about it—you can feel sad, or depressingly sad about feeling sad. Panic is another case—it’s an example of fear of fear. That’s why it’s important to differentiate between your emotions and your reactions to them.

