--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Feelings follow actions. If I'm feeling…" description: "\"Feelings follow actions. If I'm feeling low, I deliberately act cheery, and I find myself actually feeling happier. If I'm feeling angry at someone, I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac5/gretchen-rubin-867_action_feelings-follow-actions-if-i-m-feeling-l_999439.png" --- # Feelings follow actions. If I'm feeling low, I… ![“Feelings follow actions. If I'm feeling low, I deliberately act cheery, and I find myself actually feeling happier. If I'm feeling angry at someone, I do something thoughtful for her and my feelings toward her soften. This strategy is uncannily effective.” quote by Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac5/gretchen-rubin-867_action_feelings-follow-actions-if-i-m-feeling-l_999439.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac5/gretchen-rubin-867_action_feelings-follow-actions-if-i-m-feeling-l_999439.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac5/gretchen-rubin-867_action_feelings-follow-actions-if-i-m-feeling-l_999439.png) > “Feelings follow actions. If I'm feeling low, I deliberately act cheery, and I find myself actually feeling happier. If I'm feeling angry at someone, I do something thoughtful for her and my feelings toward her soften. This strategy is uncannily effective.” [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting in a desired emotional state can actually create that feeling, reversing cause‑effect. **In simple terms:** Actions shape feelings. Key Takeaway Act to feel better. Themes psychology behavior emotion regulation Mood practical encouraging Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - stress management - conflict resolution - personal growth - daily routines Key Concepts cognitive dissonance habit formation Questions to Reflect On - What actions lift your mood? - How can you turn negative feelings into positive actions? A Different Perspective May feel forced or inauthentic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Angry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry/) [Feeling angry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling-angry/) [Feeling low](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling-low/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Thoughtful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughtful/) ## Related quotes > [“Better than merely "seeing" the "sense" of people's actions is "feeling" the sense of what they are doing. 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Pay attention to your authentic feelings, and follow where they lead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-marston/when-something-feels-right-that-means-it-is-right-for-you-pay/) [Ralph Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-marston/) > [Lead with action and let the feelings follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/lead-with-action-and-let-the-feelings-follow/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [“Feelings follow actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxanne-henke/feelings-follow-actions/) Roxanne Henke > [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [When we run from our feelings, they follow us. 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You can hit somebody in a non-physical way and it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/when-you-become-angry-at-someone-your-anger-will-actually-have-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [It would be great if people never got angry at someone for doing something they've done themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/it-would-be-great-if-people-never-got-angry-at-someone-for-doing/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [Claiming that someone's marriage is against your religion is like being angry at someone for eating a donut because you're on a diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-rogen/claiming-that-someone-s-marriage-is-against-your-religion-is-like/) [Seth Rogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-rogen/) > [I would never be angry at someone for downloading the album. 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