How To Recognise And Cope With Bitterness
Meaning of Bitterness: What it is and How to Reduce It
We've all experience bitterness at some point in our lives. Whether it's the result of a romantic breakup, falling out with a friend, or losing a job, the experience of bitterness is universal.
But what exactly is bitterness? And what role does it play in our lives?
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the concept of bitterness and explore its meaning and psychological significance. We'll also discuss some common causes and offer tips for reducing bitterness.
What is Bitterness?
Bitterness is an emotion typically characterised by feelings of anger, resentment, and hostility. When we experience bitterness, we often feel like we have been wronged or taken advantage of in some way.
As a result, we may withdraw from those who hurt us and build walls to protect ourselves from further pain.
The Psychology of Bitterness
A sense of injustice or betrayal often causes bitterness. It can be challenging to let go of negative feelings and move on when we feel mistreated. Instead, we may hold onto them and allow them to fester. Over time, these feelings can turn into resentment and bitter animosity towards those who have hurt us.
While feeling angry or resentful after experiencing a personal injury is normal, it's important to recognise when these feelings are no longer serving us well. When bitterness starts to consume us and prevent us from living life, we need to take action to reduce its hold on us.
How to Reduce Bitterness in Our Lives
If you find yourself struggling with bitterness, there are several things you can do to reduce its impact:
Notice and name feelings: It's tempting to ignore or suppress difficult emotions. Read this article on mentally unhooking from feelings like bitterness.
Identify core values: Core values provide a meaningful reference point for future action. This article helps you identify your values.
Take actions consistent with core values: Next, brainstorm behaviours consistent with your values. This approach allows you to respond to bitterness with dignity.
Free up your thinking by challenging unhelpful thinking patterns. Difficult emotions often trigger problematic thoughts. Read this article to learn how to spot these cognitions.
Summary
Feeling angry or resentful after experiencing personal injury or betrayal is normal. However, we need to recognise when these feelings start consuming us.
You can do several things to reduce the impact on your life. We have provided a few suggestions, but additional strategies are available. By following these tips, you can start reducing the impact of bitterness on your life.
We are Coaching & Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience helping people conquer a range of wellbeing and performance issues at home and in the workplace. We can help if you’re struggling with feelings of bitterness. Read more about our work, watch practical skills videos or browse other articles. Get in touch anytime.
