""I'm so anxious about my book coming out," I told her. "What if it causes harm? What if I've quoted other's voices too much or I am mistakenly appropriating from other cultures? Or what if I've centered my own voice too much and it's full of egregious implicit biases or misattuned to the world around me? What if I shouldn't be the one writing a book? I don't know what I don't know.""
""How will this book land in different countries when I'm writing from my own cultural lens? And am I inclusive enough? Do you think I've been divisive? What if I escalate our divisions instead of bringing us together? Should I take the politics out that will divide us? And all the divisive issues? But I can't not talk about the big issues we face today, can I? Aren't these the fractures we need to heal? Am I then being a silent bystander to injustice?""
Emotional storms arise as intense responses when living a meaningful life. Emotions evolved to flag perceived risks and rewards, prioritizing immediate safety over long-term direction. Alarmed feelings can magnify uncertainties about cultural impact, inclusivity, bias, political divisiveness, and ethical distribution of gains. Close, trusting relationships create safety for expression of shame and anxious rumination. Clarifying and committing to core values provides a compass that keeps actions aligned with chosen direction during emotional turbulence. Values-guided choices reduce paralysis, inform when to speak or edit, and help redistribute responsibilities while maintaining trajectory toward longer-term goals despite emotional alarms.
Read at Psychology Today
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