Permission to Be Angry: From ‘Keep Sweet’ to Speaking Up

Sisters Kimberly and Michelle are just so effing mad because they're not allowed to be angry. At least, they discuss struggling to express anger safely and why they instinctively suppress it. They link that pattern to conditioning around women’s emotions, people pleasing, fear of losing control, and concern about affecting others—especially their highly sensitive sons.

They explore physical, nonviolent outlets for anger (walking, screaming in the car, shoveling snow, punching bags). They point out how suppression can lead to dysregulation and addictions. Maybe instead of extremes of “keep sweet” and rage, they could find a middle ground so they can find and use their voices when anger is justified (e.g., being belittled in an auto shop or advocating in a hospital).

They  ...