That reaction makes a lot of sense. When you weren’t allowed to express emotions as a kid, hearing a child do exactly that can hit your nervous system like an alarm—it’s not just “annoying,” it’s activating something old. The goal isn’t to force yourself to feel calm instantly—it’s to recognize the trigger, create space, and respond instead of react.
Here’s a simple, repeatable set of steps you can follow in the moment:
1. Name what’s happening (internally)
This helps your brain shift out of aut