Read This When Thinking Positive Feels Impossible

We’re sick of the surface-level platitudes and pretending we’re not spiraling.

Sometimes the world feels so unbearably heavy that you can barely breathe. You struggle to answer “how are you?” without crying. Trying to say “I’m good” and forcing a smile stings worse than salt in a wound.

We as women are used to pushing down our pain. We’ve learned to keep to ourselves so we don’t bother or burden others. We feel guilty, shameful, and stupid for feeling upset or angry, even when it’s justified.

SCREW. THAT. 

We don’t shy away from the hard, ugly, and uncomfortable stuff. In fact, we want you to be upset! Seriously—we’re actively congratulating women on their enragement.

You’re in the best place possible if you’re pissed off and pessimistic right now.

While we can’t guarantee we have the perfect solution to your problems, we do hope that whatever is bothering you will feel a little less daunting after reading our favorite unorthodox support below.

Honor the Horrible

Every thought your brain is producing right now is probably very intense; that nobody understands, nobody cares, nothing will get better, you’re not good enough, etc.

You’re angry, sad, and shaking. Now what?

It sucks. It’s disgusting and annoying and horrible and paralyzing. There’s no way to sugarcoat it, and there’s really only one thing to do:

Indulge.

Feeling stuck is not the end; it's a signal. Pay attention. Your rage is a roadmap.

Audre Lorde says, “Anger is loaded with energy and information,” so why the hell would you ignore all of that physical and emotional power?

That overwhelming energy of anger is transformative when channeled correctly.  

Taking the time to honor your rage is a sign of respect to yourself and your needs. Making time to honor your rage every time it appears proves to yourself that you are capable of handling hard things.

If You Need Logical & Objective Facts

You have a 100% survival rate. Even if it was by the skin of your teeth, you made it to this moment. We’d like to think that it’s statistically unlikely that you won’t be able to get through this current challenge.

All of this is temporary. Good, bad, or insignificant, not a single thing lasts forever. Everything feels permanent when you’re in it, but you’ve been proven wrong. Think of how your life has evolved across the areas of school, work, family, and friends over the years. Things change whether you do something to make them change or not.

Someone else feels the same rightnowinthisverysecond. Yes, actually!!! The emotional turmoil you’re experiencing is unique to you, but it is not an original human experience. You can’t possibly know because they’re also suffering in silence and having a mini breakdown between responsibilities; that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

If You Need Visceral Perspective Shifts

Let go or be dragged. This one hits harder when you picture yourself getting dragged behind a car, refusing to let go of a trailer attachment. Ouch. Holding on will hurt and you more than if you release and 

Comfort your younger self. Picture that young girl who just wanted to feel seen, heard, and understood without judgment. What would you say to her? How would you validate her experiences? Help her feel safe. Self-soothing 

Worship the solution, not the problem. Your rage is sacred. The idea that worrying is like suffering twice really resonates. Double down on taking a small action toward peace once your stress and anxiety have reached max capacity.

If You Need a Physical Outlet

Transmute your frustration. Purge it from your system ASAP. Write, draw, sing, dance, scream—just do something. 

If you need to bitch and moan, do it ruthlessly in a journal or respectfully in one of our R.A.G.E. Rooms. 

Navigating a world that often dismisses our rage is a never-ending battle. That doesn’t mean you should have to suck it up or be strong all the time. You shouldn’t constantly be celebrated for your resilience and ability to stomach painful situations.

Rage may drain and derail us, but it doesn’t have to define us.

We believe rage is a resource that can be used to our advantage. How can you recycle it into something useful that helps you go further? 

You don’t have to stay where you are if it feels this unbearable, but we’ll keep you company until you’re willing to take a step.