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Today is one of those rare days when I feel like I need to lock myself in a room until the danger of me transforming into some type of werewolf-like creature passes. At times like these, when everyone and everything is getting on my last nerve, I seriously doubt my ability to keep my anger in check, and the last thing I want to do is hurt anyone…ever!
“We all know what anger is, and we've all felt it: whether as a fleeting annoyance or as full-fledged rage. "Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion.” According to the American Psychological Association, “but when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life. Anger can make you feel as though you're at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion.”
So true!!! At times like these, my efforts at self-control are teetering on the brink and I feel it is in everyone’s best interest, including my own, to go radio silent, but that isn’t always possible. The best I can do is try to understand why I find myself in this uncomfortably irritable place before I completely lose my sh*t.
So, I start by ruling things out:
PMS? Ha…that ship sailed several years ago.
Our cat Barney knocking down my good luck bamboo plant and shredding it? He’s a cat for heaven’s sake!
Full Moon? Not until March 18th, but check out Here's What March's Worm Moon Will Mean For Every Zodiac Sign so you can get into it, or out in front of it!
As the pandemic winds down, Putin winds up? Just the thought of what’s happening makes my blood boil!
Anger is different for everyone, offers a post on NHS Inform, "Things that make some people angry don't bother others at all." But there are things that make lots of us feel angry, including:
being treated unfairly and feeling powerless to do anything about it
feeling threatened or attacked
other people not respecting your authority, feelings, or property
being interrupted when you are trying to achieve a goal
stressful day to day things such as paying bills or rush hour traffic
A big fat checkmark on all of the above!
To paraphrase Thomas Paine, these truly are the times that try women’s souls––and while a visit to Dr. Google can yield some interesting insights and perspectives on anger, I’d love to hear about some of your strategies for controlling it. There is just something about sharing with friends that makes life a lot less angry!