The Embrace Blog

Is it ok to vent, to let off steam, or is that not acceptable?

Great question, and I guess it all comes down to our beliefs, and even perhaps how we were raised. 

I was raised in a family where you just held everything in, no one talked about anything emotional - it made everyone uncomfortable so we learned fast to keep quiet.

Like a pressure cooker, those emotions can build up overtime, until one day, the "volcano" blows!  It typically is not good for anyone, in fact here are some unhealthy ways "vent".   Don't worry, I'll follow up with some healthier ways to vent after this.  

Unhealthy ways of venting 

Unhealthy ways of venting emotions can cause harm to yourself or others, and often lead to more emotional distress in the long run. Here are some common unhealthy ways people vent their emotions:

1. Aggression or Violence

• Expressing emotions through physical aggression (hitting, throwing things, or physical altercations) can harm others and yourself. It doesn’t solve problem...

Ever have those moments when you're struggling and struggling with a situation, then you realize, gee maybe I am just not meant to do this certain thing, cause nothing about it is lining up with what you want? 

The question is, how long do you hold on before finally letting go?

Just recently I had an issue with an online order, it never arrived. I found out the shipping company had lost it and was told to contact the supplying company direct.

I tried, but there was no customer service person to talk to, as that department (returns / refunds) only takes email.  After not hearing back from them, I asked for a refund.  

The unbelievable part is that I still wanted the product cause I thought it was working, honestly could be placebo effect, but I never had enough to really give it a try, cause my order got lost.

After hitting my head against the wall, the disappointment, the lack of customer service, and being out $150, one day it finally hit me like a tonne of bricks...

Maybe the U...

Feeling stressed and can't seem to find a remedy?

The Art of Giving and Receiving 

You know I used to think it was kind of a funny expression "The Art...", why on earth would anyone call it an art?  Don't you just give and receive?  Well let me share an epiphany with you that I recently had and why I now believe it is an art. 

Growing up I was raised in a family where we followed my Mom's wishes of the Jehovah Witness, and did not participate in any holidays, Christmas, Birthdays, Easter, Halloween... all of them except for two occasions, a Wedding or Anniversary, then it was ok to give or receive gifts.  Other than that there was no gift giving going on.  So if you never married, you were SOL (sooo outta luck)!  My gift giving and receiving "skills" were zero to none.

Now I'm not telling you this from a place of a victimhood as an adult, as it was what it was, however as a child I would say I felt like a victim because why was it every other kid got gifts, but I was not allowed to receive gifts?  Imagine what that does to a kids s...

Addiction, a big word with a big meaning.  

I started off with the intention to write about "the bathroom scale" and it reminded me of a funny story, that I'm about to share.  However before I do the purpose of this message is simple.