Anger

There’s alot of it about at the moment. I see it and feel it most days, in myself and others.

I’ve been through angry stages previously, it was mainly directed inward. I’ve also used it as a fuel for action, it has serious amounts of energy!

Anger is a powerful emotion and I’ve learnt that it’s a trigger to ask the question ‘why’? It’s an easy emotion to feel but not an easy one to express productively, but it’s all about how it’s expressed. It’s uncomfortable.

I’ve also learnt that it’s a secondary emotion, from experience, it’s easier to feel angry than what the true emotion is. In the past it’s covered up sadness and a feeling of loss. Those emotions were really scary and overwhelming, too hard! But I did learn that they weren’t as bad as expected. They didn’t go on forever, the world didn’t collapse, I came out the other side. They’re still not great emotions to feel but they’ll always be there if not acknowledged and processed.

At the moment, for me, the anger is triggered by fear, anxiety, loss, insecurity and sadness. As with most things I want to write about, I tend to search for an appropriate image. I found the iceberg and it’s a great representation of how I am and we are as a society at the moment. I’ve identified with the emotions ‘beneath the surface’ and I’m sure if I asked anyone else, they would be able to too.

I can feel the energy around me, which in itself creates anxiety about how people will react. Most people are near boiling point and the slightest thing can cause them to boil over. I’ve found myself reacting to things that normally wouldn’t bother me. I think the key is to literally do the classic ‘count to ten’ before reacting and then question ‘why’?

It’s also a powerful reminder for me to look beyond someone’s behaviour and show empathy and compassion for what they really are feeling underneath.