Unveiling latent anger: nurturing inner peace and creativity

Hidden in the subconscious, anger can hide for years, seemingly leaving no signs of its presence. Passive anger does not have to be shown as anger; it can also be a passive behavior that manifests itself in the form of criticism of oneself or others, tension, a negative mood, or neglect of oneself or the people around us. In this emotion, if it was not discharged in childhood in a situation that was difficult for us, there is an energy that can control later life. Problems may then arise in establishing relationships with other people, as the 'transmitting station' of our internal compass is disturbed and is unable to build close relationships, nor does it thereby assume tenderness towards itself. How do I recognize this mechanism?

Internal intruder

The appearance of anger in the human psyche is actually related to the mechanism of creating a sense of security for oneself, thus creating apparent protection. Thus, anger is just the body's way of coping with an external threat.

Anger is also associated with the presence of adrenaline, which is a constant in the life of a person with latent anger. Thus, tension, which is an equally frequent visitor, is released. The presence of these factors makes it difficult for a person to relax, making it impossible to approach oneself or other people with tenderness or empathy. The body is subjected to the life mode of a machine that approaches life task-oriented, not absorbing its head too much with feelings. Does this mean that every "taskmaster" carries latent passive anger? Not necessarily, it all depends on the frequency of tensions, the degree to which one ignores their own or other people's needs, and past memories that may have violated one's internal compass.

Underneath the anger there is always something hidden, some inner need, longing, or regret, which we call 'Anger Iceberg', being aware of the complexity of this emotion. Latent anger, including its passive form, informs a person of some layer that dictates approaching the outside world with tension.

The emotion of anger makes it difficult to approach life in a gentle way, as well as to treat it with a hint of playfulness. Fun is defined as casual enjoyment, or an activity undertaken solely for the purpose of relaxation and the celebration of a good mood. Anger moves away from relieving tension because the driving wheel of adrenaline release makes the body addicted to accepting and performing tasks. It's a bit like being an employee for ourselves. Suppressed and passive anger thus acts like a background app that eats up the battery. It's hard to get away from it, because it acts like an aggressive intruder inside the body, issuing more commands and ignoring other issues. There is no space in the vocabulary of a person struggling with latent anger for needs - his or her own or those of other people.

Effects of latent anger

The presence of intruding anger is easily masked by wading from task to task for years. One can just as well indulge in passive pastimes such as watching TV or playing on the computer, which do not relieve tensions at all, as it is only an apparent relaxation, while they cover up the feeling of any lack or inner conflict. Just as often, people fall into addictions that distance them from contact with themselves, and it doesn't have to be just alcohol, but also addictions to travel, shopping, sweets, or nicotine. Running away from oneself is to the advantage of the 'intruder', who doesn't want to leave at all, since he has built himself a solid hiding place inside his owner.

Latent anger also has the effect of lowering one's own creativity, since the inner critic navigated by the intruder pacifies any attempt to do something innovative, deeming it weak and insufficient. As a result, the 'bearer' of anger prefers not to engage in the unknown, which may involve the need for tender self-support, since being one's own friend is not a strong side.

Abraham Maslov posed an interesting question:

Why, for God's sake, isn't everyone creative? Where has human potential been lost? In what way has it been mutilated? I think the right question would be not why people create, but why they do not create (...)

(Abraham Maslov)

Non-standard thinking, essential in any creative process, requires breaking away from the pattern. However, this is not possible when the organism is run by 'someone' from the outside, who imposes his rules of the game and 'deals the cards'. In such indigestible tension and self-criticism tendencies, there is no space to go beyond the template.

A way to deal with anger

Latent anger should not be fought. It's not an intruder that needs pacification. This kind of newcomer needs your attentiveness, staying with yourself—not in front of the TV or your next task, but in allowing yourself a tender standstill. Allow yourself time to:

A date with yourself; a visit to a favorite place, enjoying a favorite dish/coffee in your company alone.
Doing nothing—creative stagnation that helps the body regulate itself and bring it back to a state of creativity, such as lying on the grass.
Gentleness towards yourself and other people: look at your neighbor's barking dog with tenderness, for example, getting rid of judgments.
Crying - let your emotions run out. Sometimes, take off your armor and give yourself a break.
Have fun! Go dancing for spontaneous fun, engaging your senses to actively celebrate a state of pleasure and relaxation.
Reflect on where the anger built up, at what point in your life and to whom or what situation it was addressed.

The effects of hidden anger affect the most delicate spheres of a person. Unfortunately, it often casts a shadow over relationships with other people, who may feel pushed away and left out when surrounded by an insensitive "taskmaster." Nevertheless, anger affects the sender himself, as it can be associated with the risk of disease and overloading the body with constant tension and adrenaline.

Treating oneself tenderly and stopping can be a good first step to looking in the mirror.