Shame Reframed
Historically, the premium placed on knowing rather than feeling in our culture has left people feeling that emotions are irrelevant or a nuisance and, even more damaging, that emotions are shameful.
Messages like: “You just need to think more positively!” or “You’ve been sad long enough! Get over it!” reflect a culture that even today “humorously” admonishes “Just rub some dirt on it!” when the distress of injury occurs. Because of this, of the nine affects (emotions) I teach students or clients about, I always start with the emotion of shame.
