Y/Our Anger – For a Better World

Hello friend,

Anger is human.

When anger flares, observe it.

Notice what happens in your physical, animal body – heat, tightness, restlessness, jaw clenching, racing heart, fists... what does it feel like in your body?

Notice the things you might want to shout or declare.
And remember: the first wave of emotion is surprisingly brief. Scientists say it lasts about 90 seconds. After that, it’s our thoughts that keep feeding the spiral.

So first: discharge the initial emotional energy.

Yell in a safe space.
Scream into a pillow.
Put on a power song and dance it out.
Shake. Box the air.
Vent to a trusted friend, or your journal.

Then: metabolize it.

Does it need action?
A conversation?
A boundary?
A petition signed, a call made, a letter sent, a community rallied?
Or, can it simply and authentically be released after the discharge?

And if you’re not sure, let the energy move first… then sit and listen for your wisdom. There is no rush. You don’t have to respond in the heat of it. When you give it a little breathing room (literally), the next step often becomes clear.

But please – for the sake of a better world – don’t swallow or drown your anger.

One of my wise teachers once said to me: “Anger always arises in defense of something sacred.”

Give yourself permission to let your anger become fuel – not to burn everything down, but to light the way forward.

Anger is not the enemy. Apathy is.
Used well, anger helps us protect what’s vulnerable, refuse what’s unjust, and act in service of a better world.

With love and anger,
Nicole