Big text dump incoming ...

A couple of weeks ago I completely fell apart; I was ill, and pushed myself beyond my limits. The outcome was the most honest conversation I've ever had with my wife, and the conclusion we came to is that I need to air my emotions so I can process them healthily.

So, I've been trying to do that. I've cried at sad bits of TV shows, laughed joyously while teaching my wife to dance, and this last week at work I let myself be angry at incompetence.

When I was little I had emotional problems, and the solution at that time was physical discipline. Since coming through that I've been reserved and private, and taken a certain pride in being able to remain calm no matter what.

When I was angry at work I was careful not to direct it at a person, I focused on the task of fixing the problem. While doing this a member of my team came over to give me an update on his work, I nodded and said ok (all that was really needed) and he looked like a deer caught between the headlights.

I think I really scared him because he was subdued with me for the rest of the week, I've made sure he knows I wasn't angry with him.

So all that is to say, how do I deal with the guilt of scaring someone? I want him to be at ease around me ... my plan is to take some nice food in next week to share with everyone, but I haven't got any more tricks up my sleeve and I want to be able to express anger in a healthy manner in the future.