What Do I Do If I'm Upset All the Time?
Are you stressed out? Have you noticed that when you are resentful, you become more sensitive to life’s little issues? When you are stressed at work, do you come home and easily lose patience with your kids? Do you get angry at slow traffic or slow grocery lines? Would terms like “exasperated, nervous, irritated, or impatient” describe you?
If so, you are probably over-reacting. And the worst reaction of all is that of resentment. It sets you up for becoming increasingly sensitive to what you might otherwise take in stride.
I know, times are tough. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said: “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.” There are indeed outrageous things happening. There are things that good citizens should pay attention to. The problem is that most of us do not know how to pay attention without becoming upset by what we see. So we shut down.
Here at The Center For Common Sense Counseling we help people learn to be aware without being upset. When you are aware, you will have understanding. And when you are not upset in the first place, you won’t become upset and irritable in the second place. You will be patient with your loved ones. Learn the secret of self control without painful repression and you will have it made in the shade.
Now how is it that we are upset all the time, even though we know we shouldn't? Two things.
First, being upset is a way of life for us. It supports our ego. If we didn't have something to be upset over, we would become bored and wouldn't even have motivation to do anything.
Most of us are motivated by upset, irritation, or pressure. We even use upset as a spur to activity. We then use the energy of resentment and anger to get a lot done.
And after we have been upset, and then fatigued and tense, we use it as an excuse to "unwind."
