how do you manage your emotions?

Been feeling the same way.

Met an old friend this month and we got talking about rest of our friends. I told her how I was feeling. 

She stopped me midway and told me,

"You would have been there too, had you made that choice (in a job, doing research etc.).But, this is the choice you have made , you shouldn't do it half heartedly."

Things have improved a little from that point onwards. I have also kept myself busy with books. I guess that helps. 

Going through a lot of family tension- trying to concentrate one step at a time-  aj nhi to kal, kal nahi to parso lekin karenge jaroor.

Can’t be any better suggestion than this.

Firstly, It's not necessary to feel good all the time. Mood swings are quite common for any person. Don't get carried away with "They lived happily ever after" stuff. If you take UPSC, one is investing prime years of one's life, maintaining a low social profile,  working hard etc like things bound to make you feel low sometimes. I think you can try things like:

1) Be thankful to yourself that at least you are feeling responsible for your life. There are many out there who don't even feel responsible.

2) Believe in the quote," This too shall pass". UPSC journey is just a part of your life, it's not your entire life. The ups and downs in the preparation eventually pass away no matter how great or bad they are. You may not even remember the present day after 10/15 years.

3) Face the emotion. No matter what, every emotion boils down to a bit of openness or closeness in the body. It is the mind that interprets emotion and makes us feel happy or sad. So, try to positively interpret the emotion and concentrate on finding a solution objectively. 

4)Don't be so cerebral. Try to do some physical exercise, read other books and talk to friends/family. Try to appreciate the simple pleasures of life.

5) Differentiate between the things that you can control and things you can't. Act strictly on things that are under your control.

Every job has its own pros and cons. Just give your best, leave the rest.

Its never about controlling the emotions.Its 

More about working dispite those emotions.

When you will try to control the emotions,it will fight with you.It will try to beat you in and out.

However,it's easier said than done.Its not easy to go while ignoring the emotions.

But that's how some people do.Thats why some people are successful.Thats why Aristotle,Plato etc said that not everyone are equal.

Absolutely correct. I remember@Neyawn 's advice to me 15 days before Prelims. "You have to learn to live with it."

Maih toh forumias pe 2014 se huun.. Abh finally new hobby shuru kar Lee.. Coaching centre for prelims specific..upsc and state pcs prelims exams 

Site etc bhi banwa raha hu.. Toh time he nahi bachta

Emotional Intelligence itself is a new term, but in my opinion, the concept is as old as Indian civilization's philosophical traditions. For eg-Buddha's 4 Noble truths are a path to overcome emotions, it is an exercise in emotional intelligence. So are many others, Gita's Nishkaam Karma, Shankara's Advaita, Ramanuja's Bhaktimarga, Sikh's "naam japna" etc. 

Enough of gyaanbaaji, question is how to utilise these in your context? You can follow any approach whatever suits you, but it has following 4 basic elements:

1. Clarify your ultimate goal-Why UPSC? Why not any other exam/job/vocation? This is the hardest to answer because it requires great deal of SELF-AWARENESS, it is probably the toughest question to answer before, during or after the prep (even after selection, most have no clue about this answer truly). But the key lies here, for if your purpose is clear, personal to you, means something substantial to YOU, then you will find the capacity to tolerate, endure and survive these hurdles. Then, emotions will seem like passing weathers, not affecting your core determination. Virat Kohli can survive unimaginable stress and training on his body for the sake of cricket, but put him in UPSC prep and he will run away after first Polity class that teaches difference between Written and Unwritten Constitution :P

2. Identify obstacles to YOUR goal. (eg-lost in thought, indicipline, emotional turmoil, thinking about future, etc)

3. Identify CAUSES to these obstacles to YOUR goal. (eg-one or more 5 sins, jealousy, hatred, fear)

4. Find a plan to make them go away. It is here, that different strategies are provided (exercising, writing, studying, doing another job, etc). THEY ARE NOT THE SAME FOR EVERYONE. Please, do not follow them blindly, trust your gut instinct to guide you. If exercise feels like a futile thermodynamic enterprise, DO NOT do it. 

Point 1 is the most basic. It is 80% of the problem, in my opinion. How to clarify your purpose? There are different ways, one of them may work:

1. Self-introspect-ask yourself this question genuinely and intimately. Try to find the answer, it will be lurking where you DO NOT WANT to look, because either you are afraid of the answer, or you are afraid of the unknown fog. Either way, this is the only way to know yourself. It is here that, one of the ways, meditation is suggested. 

2. Talk to trusted people, open up and discuss your deepest fears. This is a bit risky, because it is hard to know who to trust, and even those who we trust might not be at the same level to understand whats going inside our heads. Sadly, this is the truth. If it works, well and fine, if it doesnt, go back to point 1.  

So, this is the path to overcome emotions. Clear your purpose, then you will be surprised at the strength you have to endure pain. 

All my strategies are INTERNAL based, because that is all in your control. 

All the best!

Go back to your "why?" if it doesn't satisfy than probably wrong decision but if it does fight back(write answers, read newspaper, watch environment related documentary, watch sashi tharoor UK video, PM speech, etc anything that keeps you attached to preparation)...