TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION – HOW TO GET RID OF RESENTMENT
Hi eveyone, welcome back to my blog. This week I want to talk about the consequence of holding on to anger and resentment.
Resentment is a toxic emotion that, if left unchecked, can become all-consuming, wreaking havoc on our relationships, sanity, and overall quality of life. Whether it’s born from past traumas, unresolved conflict, or daily irritations, holding pain in your heart can drag you down into a never-ending pit of despair. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be like that, and you can be free of resentment and get back to living a happy life.
Today, I’ll walk you through six practical steps to eliminate resentment from your life and start enjoying your days again. I’ll go over how you can tackle the root of your negative feelings and improve your coping mechanisms to leave the pain of the past behind and embrace a more joyful present. Let’s learn how to change your perspective and reclaim control over your emotional health.
THE KEY TO LETTING GO OF RESENTMENT – RELEASING ANGER BEFORE FORGIVENESS
As a complement to this article, I invite you to watch my YouTube video. It delves deeper into the process of letting go of resentment, particularly the crucial step of releasing anger before forgiveness can occur. This video will further support your journey towards emotional freedom.
The following are five practical steps to help you eliminate resentment and start enjoying life again.
1. WHAT UNFORGIVENESS DOES TO YOU!
The first thing that happens to you when you withhold forgiveness is that it impacts your self-esteem and self-worth. (My blog, How to overcome self-limiting beliefs) is helpful for low self esteem and confidence issues. Resentment means one carries an unfavourable opinion of yourself. So, you will become too critical and vicious when you do not forgive someone. Secondly, you then turn your negative energy towards other people. You will be more intolerant and uncompassionate.
Therefore, to begin letting go, consider learning to be kind to yourself. That is, cultivate self-compassion by giving yourself the same kindness, understanding and willingness you would a friend. Understand that everyone makes mistakes or goes through moments of weakness-it’s merely human.(My
2. UNDERSTAND THAT FORGIVENESS IS ABOUT YOU.
One of the most transformational discoveries in releasing resentment is that forgiveness is not for the benefit of the other person but for you. It is a gift to yourself when you can move on from past resentments and embrace the pleasures of the present with the hope of the future. If you cannot like who you are, you may be stuck in a psychological and emotional cycle, playing back the same old hurts and resentments.
You are more likely to be unhappy in the present and less likely to anticipate a promising future if your frame of mind is focused on anger, criticism, and opposition.
3. AVOID AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOUR -How To Get Rid Of Resentment.
One of the most typical responses to getting hurt is to want to escape the situation or stop being around the person who caused the pain. Although this reaction may help alleviate the stress, avoidance-based behaviour makes it more challenging to eliminate the resentment and allow yourself to heal. My blog ‘Betrayal Blindness, the Devastating Consequences’ helps outline the toxic effect betrayal can have on you.
Rather than repressing your emotions and prompting the proliferation of resentment, allowing yourself to feel your feelings through healthy and productive channels is critical. In order not to resort to the negative consequences of avoidance, speak to a therapist. If that’s not possible, talk to a trusted friend.
4. PRACTICE GRATITUDE AND ADOPT UPLIFTING HABITS
Cultivating a thankful heart is one way to help you feel freer and liberated from bitterness. Maintaining gratitude can help you counter negative emotions, reframe your perceptions, and generally feel better. When you deliberately focus on the good in your life and what you can be thankful for, it becomes easier to let go of whatever has made you sad or mad and embrace happier perspectives.
Therefore, here are some things you can do to feed your gratitude, and in doing so, adopt habits that help uplift your mood:
Journaling: Writing and reading are great daily habits. Reading a good book that inspires can help motivate and encourage negative thinking.
Exercise: —Regular physical activity is a great mood booster. Exercise releases endorphins, which help reduce stress and anxiety.
Prayer: As a Christian, I incorporate daily prayers into my routine. This provides me with comfort and guidance. Prayer can help me find strength and clarity, which in turn helps me let go of resentment.
5. RECOGNISE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORGIVENESS AND TRUST.
One must understand the difference between forgiveness and trust when it comes to letting go of resentment. Forgiveness lets you release the emotional burden, while trust is based on actions. In other words, forgiving someone does not mean you have to trust them.
CONCLUSION – HOW TO GET RID OF RESENTMENT
Freeing yourself from remorse may take some time, and you must be gentle with yourself as you continue the undertaking. Every subsequent step away from destructive emotions is a step closer to a life of tranquillity, happiness, and peace. So, take the healing path with the recognition that it is in your hands to change your emotional terrain.
You can unchain yourself from the binds of remorse by practising self-compassion, accepting forgiveness, recognising emotions, inspiring gratitude, and separating forgiveness from confidence. Doing away with this emotional baggage encourages you to be more open to good things, enhances relationships, and encourages a happier, more accomplished life. My book on emotional baggage, ‘Travel Light A Hand Book for Mental Health,‘ will help you understand the toxic affect emotional baggage has on your life.
Remember that the objective isn’t to forget the past but rather, through the eyes of understanding and opportunity, to carry it apart. Take it gradually, begin today to flourish, and look forward to the future. Your voyage to happiness and enlightenment is about to start.
