Emotional Reactivity

A Cornerstone of a Healthy Relationship

If someone makes us angry, sad or fearful, then we need to look inside ourselves for the origin of the emotional reactivity.  That does not mean they are “right” and it may be that their behavior is such that we are not going to tolerate it but still the emotional reactivity belongs to us.  Example, I was in a business relationship in which someone behaved without integrity.  I planned to end the relationship but first I needed to determine why I was so angry ( reactive ) to their behavior.  Not surprisingly both of my parents acted without integrity which made that a hot button issue for me.  I still ended the relationship but not out of my reactivity but because we both needed integrity for the business to be successful.