Expressing Anger
Take a minute and reflect on what your perception of anger is? Are you scared of it? Is it the only emotion you really know how to express? Have you been told that it is bad?
Every individual has different takes on the role anger plays in our lives. As individuals grow up it is seen, especially in America, that we are told to suppress emotions. When suppression of emotions happens there are typically two responses: we suppress to the point of explosion or we learn to make our selves smaller so that we do not have to confront as many things. Where do you fall on this scale? Maybe you fall somewhere in the middle.
It is important that we give our selves the space to relearn the role of anger in our lives. Anger is not a bad emotion. Anger can be a healthy emotion. Anger becomes unhealthy when it starts to affect and bring harm to others. This is not all anger is though. Anger can be you screaming in your car alone, punching a pillow, hitting a punching bag, going on a long run, crying and so much more.
If you constantly suppress your anger you will eventually explode or make your self small resulting in more anger that has to be suppressed. You are not different or scary for feeling anger. This world can be difficult and can invoke frustrations in us, that comes with life.
Give room for anger in a healthy way.
Reflection Questions:
What is my anger trying to tell me?
What do I believe about myself when I act out of anger in a healthy manner?
How can I create space to be all of me instead of suppressing the parts of myself that may feel scary?
