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Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. – Mark Twain
Anger and its power are persistent themes in the lives of people who make social justice a priority in their lives, or for whom social injustice is a daily reality. During the civil rights movement, Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez cofounded what is now the United Farm Workers union. “You grow up with all of this racial injustice, and it just makes you really angry,” said Huerta, a lifelong activist who is now 88, in Dolores, a 2017 film about her life. But wild destruction and rage, she added, “will get you nowhere.”
Understanding the social and political issues that affect your life is a critical part of thinking about your anger. Plan how to best use the anger you feel. Focus, think and analyze. Strategizing allows you to decide when it makes sense to speak or act (or not), how to anticipate situations that cause stress, and think clearly — not in the heat of the moment — about how you want to solve or give voice to problems. The more you know, the better equipped you are. And the better equipped you are, the more efficacy and uptake your anger will have. Contrary to the idea that anger clouds thinking, properly understood it is an astoundingly clarifying emotion. (1)
(2)Here are three steps to unlocking your creativity when you’re angry:
Recognize and Acknowledge Anger: The first step is to acknowledge and accept your anger without judgment. Recognize that anger is a natural human emotion and that it can be channeled constructively.
1. Find an activity that takes you away from what’s making you angry and lets you release it. Exercise is a common outlet, but anything that distracts your mind through a form of physical movement can work well, from a brisk walk to an interactive video game. You can even try writing by hand as a last resort. Personally, I prefer running to blow off steam.
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing to stay present with your emotions. Mindfulness helps you avoid impulsive reactions and allows you to observe your anger without letting it control you.
(4) accept your anger, listen to the message, own it.
2. Embrace the anger and use it to push yourself harder. Do this for the first 10 to 20 minutes. Don’t try to think positively yet. Run faster, punch harder—just keep moving. You’ll probably find you can get into “the zone” much more easily when you’re angry. Endorphins will begin to flood into your system, and you’ll gradually begin feeling better and thinking more clearly.
Use Anger as a Motivator: Anger can provide the motivation and determination needed to tackle difficult tasks or projects. It can be the driving force to make positive changes in your life or the lives of others.
3. Start thinking about things you want to do differently and problems you want to solve. This is the period when creativity really begins to soar. Don’t force it, but while you’re doing your chosen activity, focus on some of those obstacles and ambitions. Maybe it’s a new project, a habit change, a career move, a trip you really want to take, or a new business idea. Maybe it’s even the issue that got you mad in the first place.
Express Yourself Creatively: Channel your anger into creative outlets like writing, painting, music, or any form of art. Expressing your emotions through creativity can be therapeutic and lead to personal insights and growth.
Advocate for Change: If your anger stems from societal issues or injustices, use it as fuel to advocate for change. Join or support organizations working towards the causes that matter to you.
(5) identify the source, express anger assertively using i statements, channel your anger into creativity by finding a creative outlet, take action by using anger as a motivator
Transform Negative Energy: Convert negative energy into positive action. Instead of dwelling on destructive thoughts, redirect your anger into problem-solving and finding solutions.
Seek Constructive Conversations: Engage in discussions with others who share your concerns or are affected by the same issues. Engaging in constructive conversations can lead to collective actions for positive change.
Set Boundaries: Anger can arise from feeling violated or disrespected. Setting healthy boundaries with others can help prevent unnecessary anger and protect your well-being.
Practice Physical Activities: Engaging in physical activities like exercise or sports can help release pent-up energy and tension associated with anger.
Use Empathy: Consider the perspective of others involved in a situation that triggered your anger. Empathy can help you better understand the complexities of the situation and find more balanced responses.
Learn from Anger: Reflect on your anger and the way you respond to it. Understand how it affects your thoughts, actions, and relationships. Use this self-awareness to grow and improve your emotional responses.
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