How to Release Feelings of Resentment

When you hold on to resentment because you're jealous of someone's success or because you've been hurt in the past, you become a prisoner to your resentment, and it adds unnecessary stress to your life. It also affects your relationships because when you focus primarily on yourself, your loved ones will feel as if their opinions or concerns do not matter, and those relationships become one-sided. Letting go of resentment will take time, but with determination and support from others, it's possible.

Instructions

• 1

  Find the root of your resentment. If you're angry with your brother because he received a few items from your deceased parents' will that you wanted, ask yourself if you're angry about what your brother received or if you're upset because you believe that your parents always favored and approved of him while treating you harshly as a child.

• 2

  Forgive the person who hurt you. If your adult daughter told hurtful lies about you out of spite because she felt your discipline was too harsh for her, understand that it is your daughter who is still resentful of the values that you tried to instill in her and recognize that while you were an imperfect parent, you only wanted what was best for her. If your daughter doesn't want to work things out, forgive her, and move on.

• 3

  Seek out counseling from a professional. Talk to the counselor about the root of your resentment and the effects it's having on your life, and also ask how you can take steps toward releasing the anger in your life. Write down any suggestions the counselor gives you for overcoming the resentment, then resolve to put those into practice each day.