Feeling the initial emotion of anger is often not a choice, but how you react to and manage that anger is.
The experience of anger is usually triggered by external events – situations we perceive as threatening, unfair, or invasive. These triggers can evoke strong emotional responses, making the initial feeling of anger feel involuntary. As the provided reference states, "to feel the emotion of anger may not be a choice."
However, the response to anger is where choice comes into play. You can choose how to express your anger, whether it be constructively or destructively. This includes:
- Suppression: Attempting to ignore or stifle angry feelings.
- Expression: Communicating your anger in a healthy and assertive manner.
- Aggression: Reacting with hostility, violence, or destructive behavior.
- Management: Utilizing coping mechanisms and strategies to regulate anger.
Choosing how to work through and manage anger is a skill that can be developed and improved over time. It involves self-awareness, emotional regulation techniques, and conscious decision-making. While the initial feeling might not be a choice, your subsequent actions are.
