Thank you all

As I just said to someone else, negative emotions aren’t a “weakness” - they are a result of pain and trauma

It’s disappointing (understatement) when mental health workers in real life discourage our authentic expressions, just as family have done

IMO..... being open (for many... maybe not all, I am not an “expert” ...) is an important first step to healing. Certainly much more helpful than bottling everything up. Or it can be a way of surviving. Again much more healthy than bottling everything up or “acting out” in self destructive ways... and I’m not judging anyone who uses any self destructive “coping” mechanisms as they may be called... those too can be a way of surviving.

Respect and care to all