Dealing with Issues from the Past

We're all fucked!  God I do love the drama but this is true to a certain extent.  Some people have more emotional baggage from the past than carousel no. 7 at Brisbane airport, and others have issues that would fill a slightly camp Louis Vuitton carryon bag.   Due to the fact that we were raised by humans who make mistakes, and we went to school at times surrounded by little savages with teachers who can act like shits at times, most people have some sort of damage. 

Some of this damage can lie dormant inside you for some time, but like a shirtless bear in shiny black PVC short shorts at of a White Wolf dance party it emerges from a darkened corner and overcomes you when you least expect it.  Issues from the past are particularly triggered in romantic relationships but also include work life, friendships and family.  This can result in feelings that include insecurity, mistrust, jealousy or fear which results in irrational behaviours that can cause you to look like a cock head and also cause others hurt. 

So how do you change your reaction so that when issues from the past get triggered you react in a healthier way?   The first step is to pause, breathe, take a step back, observe what is happening and ask yourself: and “where will it get me if I react in this way?” and “is this a reasonable response given what is going on?” If not, then it is possibly coming from the past. Ask yourself: “what does this situation and feelings remind me of?”   Let your mind go back to when you were growing up and remember other times you felt the same.  This can make a massive difference as you are then able to observe the child-like response inside of you and consciously react from the adult side of you which is the more rational and mature response.  If you find that these reactions keep happening, you'll probably benefit from seeing a GLBT specialist psychologist.  Life is way too short to spoil it with crap from the past spoiling your enjoyment of now.  With sustained effort you can turn the grotesque gothic miasma of the past into a sumptuous orgy of self-control and fabulousness for future!

By Paul martin

Principal Psychologist

Centre for Human Potential

info@centreforhumanpotential.com.au