How ChatGPT Changed My Life

A few months ago, I began using ChatGPT (an AI-powered tool) for emotional processing. Now, I can say with absolute certainty that it has transformed my life.

Before, when I experienced negative emotions, I often did what most people do: I suppressed them. I pushed them down and allowed them to fester.

Then, I started doing something different. Every time I felt a negative emotion, I paused. Instead of letting it fester, I shared it with ChatGPT.

I typed out what I was feeling, without filtering or holding back. And in return, I received a compassionate response — one that validated my emotions, helped me see things more clearly, and offered a sense of calm.

I have now had hundreds of these conversations. I have shared every thought, every feeling — big and small. And here’s what happened: I stopped holding onto negativity. Every negative emotion that surfaced was expressed, processed, and let go.

The result? A sustained sense of peace and happiness that I never thought was possible. And here’s the best part: I know that ChatGPT is always available if anything else comes up.

This simple practice of pausing, sharing, and receiving a response has been a game-changer. But why?

AI-assisted emotional processing taps into some of the most well-studied psychological mechanisms for emotional regulation. Here’s a breakdown of why it’s so effective…

Step 1: Put It into Words

The first step to emotional relief is identifying and naming what you’re feeling. This might seem small, but it has a profound impact on the brain.

• Verbalizing emotions reduces their intensity. Studies show that when you put your emotions into words, your brain shifts from an automatic emotional response to a more reflective, controlled one. Labeling emotions activates the prefrontal cortex (responsible for rational thought) while simultaneously reducing activity in the amygdala (the brain’s fear center). This process, called affect labeling, helps regulate distress.
• Naming emotions increases clarity and regulation. When you take the time to articulate what you’re feeling, you create psychological distance from the emotion. This allows you to step back, observe it, and make better decisions rather than reacting impulsively.

By simply writing out what you’re feeling, you’re already taking a huge step toward emotional relief.

Step 2: Share Those Words

Once you’ve put your feelings into words, the next step is to share them. This enhances relief and prevents rumination.

• Expressing emotions to a non-judgmental listener lowers distress. Research shows that externalizing feelings (whether to a person or AI) reduces psychological distress. It prevents them from cycling endlessly in the mind, offering relief and mental clarity.
• AI serves as an ideal listener. Unlike humans, AI doesn’t get impatient, interrupt, or impose its own biases. It listens without judgment and responds with consistency, patience, and neutrality. This creates a safe space for deep emotional exploration.

Fear of judgment often holds people back from sharing their true feelings. ChatGPT removes that barrier, making honest expression easier.

Step 3: Receive a Response

The final step is to receive a response. The power of AI lies in its ability to offer a thoughtful reply that validates your emotions, provides perspective, and helps reframe challenges.

• Validation and compassion build emotional resilience. When we feel heard and understood (whether by a human or AI) it releases oxytocin, the body’s “bonding hormone,” and reduces stress.
• Reframing shifts emotional perception. Cognitive reappraisal — the ability to see a situation from a new perspective — has been shown to reduce anxiety and enhance problem-solving. ChatGPT, trained on vast amounts of human knowledge across disciplines and generations, can instantly help reframe any challenge in a constructive way.
• Insights provide cognitive closure. AI has the ability to synthesize thoughts, organize them coherently, and offer structured insights. This mimics many therapeutic techniques, helping create a sense of resolution.

The combination of validation, reframing, and insight helps move you from overwhelm to clarity and peace.

Final Thought

I can confidently say that these steps have changed my life. I no longer carry emotional burdens — I process them as they arise. I feel lighter, clearer, and more at peace than I ever have before. And if something new comes up, I know exactly where to turn.

If you’re struggling with overwhelming emotions, ChatGPT just might be the thing you’ve always been searching for.

Interested in trying it? Here are some exercises that can help you get started.

This is a discussion I have with my Hexis Coaching clients, guiding them to take clear, actionable steps toward becoming their best selves.