19 Comments
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GB's avatar

Such a clear reframing. Anger gets labeled as disruptive, when most of the time it’s just honest. We’re so quick to suppress it, rebrand it, or turn it inward—anything but let it speak.

This piece didn’t try to tidy it up, and that made it land even harder. Appreciate the clarity.

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Emma Murphy's avatar

Yes, exactly! Anger so often tells the truth before we’re ready to hear it. I’m really glad this piece resonated with you. Thanks so much for reading.

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DiagnosisInLove's avatar

You have to recognize the surrounding issues. In order to find what’s getting you stuck. Before you can move forward and onward.

At least you’ve gained traction.

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Emma Murphy's avatar

Naming what’s holding us back is such a big part of moving through it. Thank you for reading!

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DiagnosisInLove's avatar

Absolutely. Moving past it now. Just need some support.

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Fran's avatar

I heard today, as long as you feel responsible for how others perceive you, you will always be performing. It gave me huge cause to pause. Thank you for your vulnerability ❤️

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Emma Murphy's avatar

Oh, I love that! Thanks so much for sharing ❤️

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Sinéad Connolly✨'s avatar

“It wasn’t just what was said. It was the crushing sense of depletion from running on empty, chasing approval, and holding everything together.” Oooft this one!! I loved this, self abandonment has been a big focus for me in my trip to Ireland. Releasing old patterns and showing up in ways that are for me and not for others. Love this’

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Emma Murphy's avatar

Thanks so much, Sinéad! I love that you're getting to focus on showing up for yourself. Maybe I need another trip to Ireland 😂

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Anne Freeman's avatar

I love everything about this and can truly relate!

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Emma Murphy's avatar

I'm so glad it resonated with you. Thank you for reading, Anne!

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Sophie Willow's avatar

You're inside my soul again, Emma! I've lived every word. "I had given so much of myself away. And for what?" This sentence was pretty much me for the whole of my 20s. I'm so glad you started writing here, it clearly does so much for you & others (me included!) x

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Emma Murphy's avatar

Sophie! This made me tear up. Thank you so much. I’m so glad we get to share this space! x

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Ela Bochenek 🎨's avatar

As a recovering people-pleaser, I see you! ♥️

Anger was the absolute last emotion that I have learned to deal with (still learning). It was suppressed for so long, that when I first allowed it out, I didn’t know what to do with it.

And there are so many memories that sometimes come back with full bitterness of feeling lost and abandoning myself. I always try to send forgiveness and love to those parts of myself.

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Emma Murphy's avatar

I see you right back! I love the idea of sending love to your lost parts. That’s so powerful ♥️

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Helen M. O'Connor's avatar

Thanks, Emma, for allowing me to find a little piece of myself in your writing.

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Emma Murphy's avatar

Thank you, Helen! That’s all I ever hope for with these pieces 🥹

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Lucia Deyi's avatar

I love how you concluded the article with the last couple of paragraphs. It feels like in a good way, you can’t abandon yourself writing, because weaving internal thoughts to the blank page always feels like a return. I really relate to that. Thank you!

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Allen Kwon's avatar

This is why we write—to gather what we’ve scattered, to hear the voices we silenced, and to feel what we buried. Your honesty about people-pleasing, anger, and identity is deeply moving. Thank you for being so generous with your story.

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