Understanding the Distinction Between Anger and Resentment
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Chapter 1: The Nature of Anger
If you constantly suppress your anger, how will you ever grasp its true message?
In 2020, while I was employed as a shoe salesperson, my boss introduced a rather unsettling foot scanning device, and to make matters worse, he wanted to hold a meeting about it. By that time, I had become deeply invested in the concept of “barefoot shoes,” so you can imagine my dismay as I endured two hours of marketing for a subpar product that resembled overpriced Dr. Scholl’s inserts, which felt akin to standing on a pile of potatoes.
To say I was furious would be an understatement. The intensity of my anger was so high that I felt like I might explode with frustration as my boss continued to drone on. I found myself on the verge of declaring, “I QUIT,” yet those words never escaped my lips. I left that day feeling more furious than ever.
But upon reflection, I realized that what I felt wasn't merely anger; it was the bitter taste of resentment.
Everyday Wellness with Gemima - Let's talk about anger and resentment
In this video, Gemima discusses the importance of understanding your feelings of anger and resentment, exploring how these emotions can impact your well-being.
Being a barefoot runner, my days as a shoe salesman were fraught with attempts to “manage” my indignation over promoting products I didn’t believe in. However, as my videos about minimalist footwear began to gain traction on YouTube, it dawned on me that my true issue stemmed from a lack of action — specifically, my inability to know how to effect change.
This revelation highlights the difference between anger and resentment: anger serves as the catalyst, urging you to alter your surroundings, whereas resentment is the weight of the world compelling you to change yourself.
The lesson here is clear: don’t bottle up your anger. If you feel unable to change the world around you, channel that energy into developing your skills and knowledge. This preparation will empower you to take action when the time is right, allowing you to unleash that energy productively. Without such transformation, the spark of anger can easily become a stagnant battery of resentment.
