Whether your resentment comes from an incident within a relationship with your partner, a toxic parent, or someone who royally screwed you over; we all feel it at one point or another. According to goodtherapy.org GoodTherapy | Resentment “Resentment is often defined as anger and indignation experienced as a result of unfair treatment” and boy, does that hit the nail on the head. Below are five ways I’ve learned to cope with resentment, and hopefully you can use them too.
- Feel your Feelings.
You're allowed to be angry and resentful towards someone who has treated you poorly, just don't spend too much time stewing. I like to give myself one hour to feel exactly what I'm feeling, to have a good cry, or sit on the couch thinking about it. After that hour mark, it's time to get up and get on with my day.
- Manage your Expectations.
You cannot change anyone that isn't actively interested in changing. Now this all comes down to personal circumstance and situation, as you're not going to cut your spouse out of your life just because they left dishes in the sink. You only have power over you, so try your best to see the situation from the other persons perspective and then adjust accordingly.
- Get Active.
Yoga, jogging, a long walk; whatever you need to do to get moving. Personally, I have enjoyed group kickboxing classes, but anything works. Those "Rage Rooms" are popping up for good reason- what better way to get out your anger than breaking a bunch of sh*t (safely, of course).
- Do Some Self-Reflection.
This usually comes naturally if you're doing the above activities. Think about how you could possibly be contributing to whatever situation it is that's bringing up feelings of resentment. You are responsible for your own actions, and yours only, so keep that in mind when you feel someone is testing you.
- Go to Therapy.
If you've tried the above tips and still feel that feelings of resentment are hindering you from being as happy as you could be, I recommend trying out therapy. A therapist can give you a safe space to explore these feelings and try to pinpoint why you can't let them go.
Expressing our feelings is a healthy part of life but don't let resentment ruin your outlook on the world. Comment down below your thoughts on resentment, or if you have anything to add that I didn't mention above. You can also shoot me an email at contact@mckenziejohnston.com.
Check out my Youtube Channel for more content: McKenzie Johnston - YouTube
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