Anger can show up in a lot of different ways. You don't have to be losing your temper or getting into physical altercations to have an anger problem.
Maybe you're just kind of always annoyed. Irritated. Carrying a general air of "pissed off-ness" that follows you into rooms.
That kind of low-grade negativity is toxic — not in a dramatic way, just in a quiet, corrosive one. People can feel it. It poisons relationships and invites more negativity back into your life…to say nothing of keeping you from actually being happy.
And look, I'm not one to talk. All of my friends would tell you: I used to be the most negative dude around. I had a reputation for complaining and finding fault with everything. Honestly, I probably still do to some degree.
In a way it's funny. It's also kind of sad.
What Anger Actually Is
Anger is a protective emotion. It's a defense mechanism. It allows us to project strength when we feel anything but.
Here's the part most guys never get told: in most instances, the emotion underneath anger is fear.
So the next time you feel anger — or even just irritation — it's worth actually asking yourself: what am I afraid of right now?
Because if you can focus on reducing the fear instead of correcting whatever external thing is pissing you off, you've basically cracked the code on enjoying your life a lot more than you currently are.
There's plenty out there that can justifiably make you angry. Whether you take the bait is up to you.
