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So lately I’ve been noticing myself getting mad and frustrated really easily. I really don’t like it. I get flustered or overwhelmed at the drop of a hat- then I snap. Then I feel SO guilty. I find it puts me in a really sensitive place too. Then I feel bad about myself and my mood drops.
How do you guys manage irritability? Or when it comes, as it inevitably does with us all, how do you turn it around?
I’ve been trying to catch myself and take deep breaths. And when I do “lose it” I always try to recognize it and apologize- especially with Willow.
Tips anyone?
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Eliza,
I feel like this happens to me often. Most of the time I am great, but then there are certain days where EVERYTHING will bother me no matter what it is and I literally have to try to hold myself back from breaking down or going off on someone even if on a regular day things like that wouldn’t even phase me. The first thing I try to remind myself is that I am a human being, and that I am full of emotions. Most of my life I’ve lived guarded and don’t show any emotion at all, so if I have a few days where I feel like that, I allow myself to do so because I feel like I am giving myself permission to be human and to feel. Sometimes I feel guilty about it too, but then I try to remind myself that me feeling guilty is only going to make my reactions to whatever irritates me next even worse because now I am mad at whatever that is, plus myself. It won’t help anything. I just try my best to get through those days, whether it’s by using these affirmation cards that I have, removing myself from situations that I know I am not going to be able to tolerate, taking deep breaths, grounding myself with my surroundings, getting fresh air, listening to music, talking with a friend, etc. The thing that makes it the easiest to bear with those days is that I let those around me know that I’m going through what I call a “funk” and they know how to help by now -whether its giving me space, getting me extra treats, letting me rant, not asking too many questions, playing certain songs, etc. I know for a fact that I will have more funks in my life, but I also know that I know how to get through them so I won’t hit rock bottom and so that when it subsides I can keep moving forward.
I hope this helps! 🙂
Thank you so much Luz! This is really great advice- especially what you said about guilt. I struggle with an immense amount of unwarranted guilt CONSTANTLY (or at least it feels constant)- and you’re right- it helps NOTHING and being mad at a situation and yourself makes things so much more difficult.
Thank you so much for the support and advice <3