Mad at the World

My 13-year-old daughter doesn’t always wake up in the best mood, especially on school mornings. When she’s like this, I usually keep my distance, say a quick “good morning,” and let her get herself ready.

The other day, though, she was extra grumpy. I gave her space, but when she sat at the kitchen bar with her smoothie, she shot me the nastiest side-eye I’ve seen in a while. I couldn’t help but ask, “Are you mad at me?”

Her response? In her grouchiest voice:
“No. I’m mad at the world.”

I get it.
Me too.

There’s a lot to be mad at in the world right now….hate, injustice, loss, disrespect. I could list a dozen things that make me furious, and then discouraged. Sometimes I just want to lash out, shout at the world, or teach it a lesson.

And for teens? That anger can feel even bigger. School can feel like a nonstop battle. Friends….while amazing and essential….can spark emotions that range from joy to heartbreak.

As a kid, a teen, or even an adult, it’s hard to stay positive when the world feels heavy and cruel. So how do we handle it? Why even bother trying?

This is something I’ve wrestled with for a long time. And honestly, I still struggle when I feel “mad at the world.” What do you do when your emotions feel so big they start to take over? When they threaten to pull you out of alignment with who you want to be?

Here’s the truth….it’s completely normal to wake up angry at the world. Sometimes there’s a reason, and sometimes there isn’t. Either way, feelings don’t need a reason to be real. What matters most is what you do with them.

That’s why I was proud of my daughter. She named her feelings. She admitted she was mad. Naming it is often the hardest step, because once you name it, you can start to tame it.

After that, the next step is to move the energy. Feelings are simply that - energy - and anger is a fiery one. It needs an outlet! Go for a walk. Dance it out. Stomp your feet. Punch a pillow. Personally, I like to run or kickbox. Whatever you choose, let your body release that hot, restless energy.

Then, once you’ve moved it, find something to anchor you. Take a few deep breaths. Write in a journal. Grab a favorite snack. Text a friend who makes you laugh. These little resets ground you and help you come back to yourself. They help you decide how you want to respond…..

What you want to say,

What you want to do….

So that your integrity remains intact,

and you respond in a way that makes you feel good.

So what did my daughter do? She stomped up and down the stairs a few times, then watched some funny videos on her phone. Perfect choices for her at that moment. They gave her body an outlet and gave her mind a break.

Here’s what I want you to remember: feelings are like waves... 

Sometimes they knock us down. Sometimes we want to run from them, but they’ll always catch up. And more often than not, if we ride them out, they pass. Even the biggest, messiest ones.

That morning, my daughter woke up mad at the world, and I understood exactly why. But by naming her feelings, moving the energy, and resetting, she reminded me of something important….we don’t have to fix the world to feel better.

So, just like her, you have permission to wake up mad. Eat your breakfast. Stomp your feet. Scroll a little. And then, when you’re ready, show the world that you’re still standing….feeling proud of yourself and even stronger than yesterday!