Why Do Small Things Sometimes Trigger Big Emotions? Understanding the "Wild Horse Effect"

Have you ever felt like your emotions were on a rollercoaster ride — one small thing can completely throw off your whole day?

Maybe your partner made a careless comment, or a professor gave vague feedback that felt like criticism. Maybe it was just the crowded bus ride home after a long day. Suddenly, you’re overwhelmed. You might snap at someone you care about or lose the motivation to finish that task due tomorrow. It’s like your entire day gets overturned by a single moment.

So why do such small things have the power to destroy our peacefulness?

There’s a psychological concept that really stuck with me when I came across it — it's called the “Wild Horse Effect.”