Over and over again, you notice yourself feeling the same way across different areas of your life. You find yourself caught in familiar dynamics with others, or you realize that people often react hurtfully to what you say or do. Perhaps certain situations or individuals consistently trigger you, leaving you wondering why they continue to create stress, hurt, or disappointment.
Your first instinct may be to dismiss these experiences as having nothing to do with you, placing the responsibility squarely on the situation or the other person. Yet the stress and hurt persist, and they don’t simply fade away.
What if these emotions arise not only from the other person, but from the dynamic between you and them? What if your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in these moments are contributing to the outcome you’re experiencing? Becoming aware of this possibility can open the door to a new path, one that leads toward greater peace and joy rather than recurring stress and pain.
One helpful approach is a technique called Expressive Writing. This practice shifts your attention away from the events, memories, objects, or people involved, and toward your inner experience and feelings.
You might explore writing about:
- How you feel about what happened or what is currently happening
- What was going on within you at the time
Writing your thoughts and feelings down allows you to process situations without remaining emotionally stuck in them. Over time, it helps you become more aware of recurring patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It takes only a few minutes, yet it can create the internal shifts needed to approach your next encounter with greater clarity, peace, and even joy. Feel free to try it today!