Write for Anger
Hello Dear One,
Are you an angry person? The answer, if it doesn’t come automatically, is no. We all experience emotions, we never become them.
Yet, I’ve been guilty of labelling myself - always negatively - as an angry person, a moody person, a jealous person. This does us a disservice for two reasons: first, it amplifies a cycle of self-hatred and shame; second, it doesn’t allow us to be anything else.
If I’m being truthful (a practise) anger is the emotion I push away the most. It’s my first instinct, dating back – possibly – to being told I ‘had a temper’ as a child. As an adult, I’ve come to understand that anger is an important teacher. Anger occurs when we’re threatened, when some of our basic needs - safety, connection, purpose - are compromised. Also, when we really care. Yet we’re taught to smother it, leaving simmering embers inside.
As with all feelings, anger serves us better when we process it, instead of rejecting it. Firstly, I ask: where is this coming from? When I’ve worked through the prompts below and feel ready to release it, I shift it out of my body by hitting pillows, running, dance, breathwork. And when it flares up again, because someone’s rude in a shop or cuts in front of me when I’m driving, I bring myself back to look at it.
You can use these prompts to work through any emotion, but don’t bypass anger when you experience it. Listen to where it surfaces in your body, work with it.
And if you’d like more support wonderful meditation teacher Tara Brach has some great free resources on her website. You can also employ ‘rage on a page’ – free writing pages on everything you’re angry about and why, before tearing it up and go on with your day.
The sooner we’re able to embrace and understand what occurs within us the sooner we can show up how we want to, for ourselves and others.
Thanks for being here and being you.
All love,
Jo
IT’S WORKSHOP WEEK!
On Thursday 7th October at 7.30 pm I’m hosting my monthly journalling workshop, ninety minutes of guided journalling set to an optional playlist. It’s ideal if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed or simply want an hour to relax and focus on yourself. There are four spots remaining, head here if you’d like to join us live, or hit reply if you’d rather purchase the replay.
AND thank you for reading this far. Wishing you a beautiful week.