“I need to focus.”
Tom took a deep breath and pushed down the frustration building in his chest. He’d gotten good at this over the years. Whenever anger, disappointment, or hurt surfaced, he’d simply swallow it down and lock it away.
What used to be something he only did during major crises had become a daily habit.
Every slight from his colleagues, every dismissive comment from his wife, every setback that didn’t go his way. All of it got stuffed down into some deep, dark corner of his mind where he didn’t have to deal with it.
Focused entirely on his upcoming presentation, Tom didn’t notice the tension building in his jaw, the way his hands had started shaking slightly.
The board meeting was drawing closer. He had to show all those bastards what he could do. Just thinking about their condescending faces made his blood boil.
Immediately, he forced that feeling down too, burying it with all the rest.
He was about to enter his office when his phone buzzed. Another passive-aggressive text from his wife about something he’d apparently done wrong.
Something cold gripped his chest, and suddenly everything came flooding back.
Years of swallowed insults, ignored accomplishments, and suppressed rage erupted all at once. He found himself screaming at his assistant, throwing papers, saying things he’d held back for months.
By the time security escorted him out, his career was in ruins. His marriage wouldn’t survive the week.
Today, Tom serves as a reminder to himself and others:
Don’t bottle up your emotions – or they might explode.
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