Many people associate emotional maturity with handling responsibilities and life challenges well, but it goes beyond that and may involve complex, unanticipated situations that may not elicit the same response. According to American Behavioural Clinics, “Emotional maturity is about your ability to understand and manage your emotions.”
Dr Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist, dug deeper into the concept in her new video and explained, “Emotional maturity shows up in the quiet choices you make every day—like letting others feel what they feel without trying to fix it, owning your mistakes without defensiveness, and knowing that your well-being matters too. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about growing into someone who can handle discomfort, stay grounded in relationships, and lead with self-respect.”
To gain a better understanding of emotional maturity, Dr Smith shared 5 indicators and asked her followers to assess how they fared:
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You don’t need to win every argument. You are okay with not having the last word.
An emotionally mature person does not get upset or hurt in an argument. They listen with an open mind and understand the sentiments of others. They don’t feel the need to dominate or counter-attack.
You no longer chase people who have shown they don’t respect you.
Being emotionally mature, they know their worth and respect themselves. They are secure and don’t need to chase those who sideline or ridicule them. Instead, they value their time and are good at setting boundaries.
You can say ‘I was wrong’ without a list of excuses or turning it into an attack.
An emotionally mature person feels no shame in admitting their mistakes and learning from them. They don’t put up excuses or give explanations to defend their behaviour.
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You can celebrate the successes of friends or family even when you are still waiting on your own.
No matter how hard it may be for others, an emotionally mature person will find joy in celebrating the wins of loved ones even when they are still struggling to fulfil their own goals.
You stopped trying to change people who don’t want to change.
They realise quickly enough that those who refuse to change cannot be helped. Motivation or encouragement will not lead to any shift unless the change comes from within.
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