Come here really quick... I want to share something with you all,
Last year, I hit a major wall with my motivation. While I managed to attend my vending events and stressfully juggle a pop-up shop solo (thanks to the relentless demands of the capitalist machine), my energy outside of work was nonexistent. I initially thought I was just feeling a bit down about the whole Seattle Restored ordeal, but as I dug deeper, I realized it wasn’t sadness at all—I was furious.
And here’s why: All the hard work I put into building that staircase felt utterly disrespected and useless because of truths that were kept from me. I was being gaslit by the property manager about the property's safety and by Seattle Restored about my “activation.” As a person of color, I felt targeted with no recourse. It was infuriating.
But here’s the kicker: expressing anger, especially as a person of color, can be seen as dangerous or unproductive. Society often teaches us to suppress our anger to avoid being labeled as the "scary" or "angry" black or brown person. So, I suppressed my anger and let myself feel sad instead, which seemed more socially acceptable.
Sound familiar? Many of us, especially people of color, live in a world where we’re constantly questioned, challenged, dismissed, and gaslit. From a young age, we’re taught that anger is not an option. But suppressing anger without a proper outlet can lead to emotional distress because our nervous system feels unprotected from future harm.
I’m not suggesting we go out and curse out everyone who irritates us, but finding safe, productive ways to express anger is crucial! For me, it was a tricky process that required time, experimentation, and practice. Every day is a small victory as I choose healthier ways to deal with my anger, reconnect with my purpose, and rediscover my motivation.
These days, I find myself getting upset less often because I deal with my anger in the moment instead of letting it build up and overwhelm me later.
So, here’s my question to you: What are some things you do to release uncomfortable emotions like anger, anxiety, and sadness? Let’s discuss and support each other in finding better ways to cope! 💪✨
#MotivationJourney #AngerManagement #FindingPurpose #MentalHealthMatters #PeopleOfColor #EmotionalWellness
