Journaling prompts for resentment
“Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” — Malachy McCourt
What has this resentment shown me? In what ways might forgiveness support me (or not support me) in moving forward?
What stirred up this feeling? What emotions or thoughts sit underneath it? How does resentment show up in my body, my behaviors, my inner world?
Were my expectations of this person too fixed, too rigid?
When I think back to a time of conflict or betrayal that left me feeling resentful: what was happening then? How did I cope at the time? How might that experience still be shaping how I move through relationships and emotions today?
Do I notice any recurring patterns in the kinds of resentments I carry? Are there certain dynamics, people, or expectations that reliably spark this feeling? What might help me tend to those patterns in ways that bring me closer to peace — or even forgiveness?
Am I here, in this moment?
What does “letting go” mean to me? The words letting go make me think… make me feel… In what ways does letting go overlap with giving up, and in what ways does it feel different? When I recall the most difficult thing, person, place, idea, or dream I’ve released, what did it feel like when I finally let go?
What is my anger trying to tell me about my life? About myself? If I gave it a voice, what would my anger say it’s here for? What action does it want me to take to feel better? What concrete steps could I name, and how will I follow through on them?
