I don’t consider myself an aggressive person. I have a quiet voice, I’m more of a listener than speaker, and I don’t think anyone would associate my petite build with “intimidating.”
Back when I was teaching ESL, I had a serious internal struggle when it came to interrupting my students. What is the proper etiquette for stopping someone (twice your age) waxing on about covert teenage trips across the Communist Czechoslovakian border? Particularly when your comment is, “Um, Pavel…it’s ‘We hid,’ not ‘We hided.’” But that job built my courage and confidence immensely – after a month or so, I had learned to interject with ease.
A few days ago, the sidewalks on my street were blocked off for viewing of Obama’s speech. The actual street is always closed to automobile traffic, so I chose not to bother with the pedestrian crowds swarming the sidewalk, and I walked straight down the middle of the street, politely asking the policeman to open the barrier when I reached my apartment, because, “Excuse me, but I live here.”
calming tea: loose leaf with ginger
When people, usually women, used to discuss health or body image, I would stay timidly tight-lipped in the background. And while I don’t want to preach or lecture, I also don’t want to be afraid of expressing my thoughts. Having the confidence to speak my mind, practice my beliefs, and not feel triggered by other’s comments feels, honestly, pretty liberating. I never could have guessed that speaking up for just a moment or two could keep harmful thoughts from stewing inside.
Like all aspects of life, I think aggression has its place. I used to expel it in a run, leaving it all, as the cliche states, on the pavement. Without that release nowadays, I’m finding more of a balance in tiny moments – an occasional interruption or atypical demand. Sometimes, those are necessary.
Do you consider yourself aggressive? How do you let it out?
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I am definitely not aggressive, but neither will I stay quiet if someone is being treated badly. It’s strange- I am pretty quiet around people I don’t know, and VERY hesitant to share my thoughts/opinions in public, but as soon as something is stated that goes against something I feel strongly about, I speak up. I try to be tactful ;)
hmmmm, interesting thought to ponder. As a young child and even into my teenage years I was a shy person. I have started coming out of my shell more and more and most especially in the last year, with great results! I have made more friends, which is always wonderful.
I guess that’s not quite the answer you were looking for, but it’s what I’ve got!
I’m not as aggressive as I’d like to be. It’s something I’m constantly trying to improve :(
-A
For me it comes in phases… I have shy periods, and sometimes I’m outgoing. Since I graduated college I’ve gone back to my shy ways. I think my outgoingness peaked at some point in high school, or maybe early college. I don’t know which I like better. When I want something (like Bobby, my fiance) I can be very aggressive. Haha.
This is embarrassing, but when I feel like I need an outlet I clean or organize. Love that :)
As evidenced in my video posts, I’m aggressive when I feel the need to be ;)
i myself am way too passive. i need to work on balancing my passive and aggressivness.
it’s great that your experience abroad helped you to be confident in your thoughts and opinions! it sounds like it was an amazing growth process for you in many ways — i wish i had the guts to teach abroad!
i used to struggle a lot to express myself, have a voice, presence and opinion. and as scary as it can be to let yourself be heard, it always feels good in the end.
happy new year to you, too. :) wine outing soon!