1-Minute Read: What’s happening to me? Why am I always upset?
Ever feel this way? I’m sure you have. We all have.
I know from experience (and from my clients) that when this happens, it can be very scary. If we are lucky, we may know what’s upsetting us (and I’m not minimizing this) but often times we have no clue.
Possibly we have learned how to minimize our own feelings. Oddly enough, many of us have been repeatedly told that we make a big deal out of nothing. Yet my experience with women is that often times we take something that should be a big deal and make it into nothing. Why?
We women are masters at minimizing our feelings and relationship struggles. Is this because we think we can deal with anything that comes our way? Or is it because our mothers always appeared to handle everything? Or is it something else? It’s no different than the instinct of an animal in the wild hiding its weaknesses or injuries so they’re not perceived as pray .
No matter the reason why, we internalize our feelings in an attempt to minimize them. But this backfires and bubbles to the surface. We feel anxious, irritable and upset all the time and snap at the slightest pressure to seemingly unrelated things. We know it, but we can’t stop it.
So what should you do?
• Start by identifying your feelings. When and how often are you feeling upset? Is it when you are around a particular person on in a certain situation (groups)?
• Do not place any judgment in this area. Remember, this is all just information gathering.
• Validate your feelings. You ARE upset for a reason.
• Do not let anyone else minimize how you feel once you’ve identified the cause. That will only make you feel crazy and contribute to anxiety and depression.
Next step… contact me and I will work with you to help you understand your emotions as well as your situation. Then, together, we can make a plan for moving forward and managing your emotions.
Licensed counselor and founder of Girls Stand Strong Michelle Kelley, LCSW, helps girls and women of all ages develop and improve their self-image, self-esteem, relationship and communication skills, emotional understanding, coping skills, the ability to handle difficult situations and people, and resiliency to create a brighter, better and more successful tomorrow. For more information about Michelle’s coaching and counseling services, call (703) 505-2413 or email michelle@girlsstandstrong.com.
