A few months ago, I wrote an ALIVE article about how an out of control “Inner Rebel” can wreak havoc on your health. I received a LOT of great responses, so I decided to delve into the topic again.
Now, before we address the challenging side of the “Inner Rebel,” here’s a question I want to re-visit: Are there any benefits to expressing the “Inner Rebel?”
Actually, yes! The Inner Rebel has some valuable gifts to offer. First, there’s a spiciness that comes from healthy levels of rebellious energy. For example, if we think of a rebellious teen, we might picture someone who is coming into his or her own by “breaking out of the box” of the role he or she played within the family. This time of individuating from one’s family is normal and healthy—so that teens eventually fly from the nest—surviving, thriving, and uniquely expressing who they are on their own.
Similarly, adults who positively embrace their rebellious energies may be expressing their unique creativity and life purposes. For some, this requires “swimming against” an ancestral or societal current—in a quest to courageously pursue an important goal or dream.
For example, in his early career, musician Quincy Jones rebelled against allowing racism to stop him from expressing his creative talents. As you may know, in the 1950s, many hotels were not yet integrated. Sadly, for a person of color, getting a “traditional” hotel room while traveling…wasn’t an option. In fact, one night while on tour, the only place Quincy and another African American musician could find to sleep was in a funeral parlor—amidst a bunch of caskets! Whew!
Meanwhile, if Quincy hadn’t rebelled against society’s racist ignorance by continuing to push onward, he would’ve missed the opportunity to realize his dreams and thrive! And, we’d have missed enjoying decades of his amazing work, including 27 Grammy Awards and celebrating him as the first African American to win the “Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award” (in 1995).
Thank God Quincy had the strength—and a courageous “Inner Rebel”—to successfully navigate the challenges of his time and fulfill his life purpose. Plus, he helped pave the way to increased equality for others!
Now, in my private practice, I work with a lot of clients who have strong “Inner Rebels.” Some are creative souls who want tools and support while they continue to pursue their goals and dreams. Others are people who come to see me seeking tools to stop smoking or overeating. Unfortunately, in some of these cases, health crises are the motivators.
Clearly, when the “Inner Rebel’s” behavior includes self-destructiveness, it expresses a dark side. For instance, the dark side of “rebellious teen” energy can be the feeling of indestructibility—such as, thinking that he or she can drink and drive (without dangerous consequences), text while driving, or function on little sleep—all while eating and drinking “super-sized” junk food.
Many of us remember our own impulsive “teen years” and are grateful to have gotten through them. On the other hand, some folks stay stuck in their teenage behaviors and chronically struggle with their “Inner Rebels” who continually impact their health in negative ways.
Now, let’s shift our focus, and explore an “overview” that includes descriptions of rebellious energy being repressed, expressed constructively, or expressed destructively. It helps to think of rebellious energies in terms of a continuum.
Qualities of repressed rebelliousness can include the following: an avoidance of taking healthy risks, living a constricted life, and feeling energetically frozen.
Qualities of constructive rebelliousness can include the following: taking calculated risks in life, living adventurously (yet mindfully), feeling free-flowing energy, and experiencing fear (when it’s appropriate).
Qualities of destructive rebelliousness can include the following: taking unhealthy/dangerous risks in life, feeling “indestructible,” acting impulsively (without weighing consequences), and feeling fearless.
The good news is that there are many tools available to help balance an “Inner Rebel” to create healthier responses to life. Feel free to call me to set up an appointment to discuss this further and hear about the tools I offer. I work with many clients who are learning to appreciate their spiciness and playfulness—while finding healthy ways to express their “Inner Rebels.”
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Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author and illustrator of Stress Reduction Journal. She currently has a private practice in downtown Danville. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.
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