It is very normal, and natural, for us to feel various emotions. Good ones elicit joy and happiness, and they are easy to share with others. It makes you proud to be a bearer of good news and positive emotions. On the flip side, negative emotions bring out fear and negativity in general.

This is probably why negative emotions are so difficult to communicate with others in a healthy manner if the main intention is to resolve conflict. This is why these emotions are often stifled in order to keep the peace.

We’re often left with no choice but to carry around these negative emotions that we find difficult to express. However, sooner or later, they will often unconsciously find a means of expression. This is when aggression can result. We may release our repressed negative emotions in a negative manner. Continue reading →

We often assume that we know what somebody thinks of us, and the type of relationship we have with that person, based on what they say to us. However, our relationships are far more complex than that. The true state of our relationship with others isn’t always revealed in the things that they simply say out loud.

Unfortunately, there are times when we may need to read between the lines and understand what’s beyond their words, in order to get to the truth. Life would certainly be a whole lot easier if people said exactly what they mean, and by extension, truly mean what they say. However, that isn’t always the case, especially when it comes to passive-aggressive behavior.

Passive aggression is a covert way of showing resistance to a request, or a person. They are not ‘visibly’ being aggressive. Instead, even though they may feel angry, they simply cannot express it directly. So they may use other methods to get their anger or disappointment across. Continue reading →