How I Turned My Anger Into a Force for Good

Photo by Ryan Snaadt on Unsplash

You may not believe it, but I used to be a very angry person. I was always frustrated, impatient, and resentful of others. I would lash out at anyone who crossed me, even for the smallest things. I was unhappy, and I made everyone around me unhappy too.

But then, something changed. I realized that my anger was not helping me, but hurting me. It was destroying my relationships, my health, and my career. I decided to do something about it. I decided to accept my anger, and use it as a motivation to improve myself and the world.

How did I do that? Here are some of the steps I took:

• I acknowledged my anger. I stopped denying, suppressing, or justifying it. I admitted that I had a problem, and that I needed to work on it.
• I understood my anger. I tried to figure out what was triggering it, and what was behind it. I learned that my anger was often a mask for other emotions, such as fear, insecurity, or guilt. I also learned that my anger was a result of my unrealistic expectations, my rigid beliefs, or my unmet needs.
• I expressed my anger. I found healthy ways to vent my anger, without hurting myself or others. I used techniques such as journaling, meditation, exercise, or talking to a trusted friend. I avoided violence, aggression, or passive-aggression.