Delicious fury

Why is it so satisfying to get angry? I’ll tell you why… Our deepest values and deepest emotions WILL be expressed, even if we ignore or try to suppress them. Anger is often the ‘eruption’ we notice, but stems from other, suppressed emotions. Letting go of something suppressed - is a relief.

Our deepest emotions are not ‘problems’ to be fixed, they tell us what our core values are. Too often suppress emotions for convenience or acceptance. Anger is easier to notice than more complex emotions, and feels safer to express than fear. Fear is vulnerable, whereas anger might get something done. So we do anger, especially when we feel helpless.

Deeper feelings, like grief, frustration or fear are uncomfortable to work with, but exploring them and working with them is essential to build a life that's a true expression of our values.

Anger is not bad in itself, it’s energy. With attention and practice, we can direct it into positive actions. I have found that art is my best way to explore and work with deeper emotions. Art takes my full attention and mental energy, while allowing me to explore what drives me. This exploration helps me clarify my values, what I’m afraid of, and informs my next steps in life.