I avoid conflict like the plague - silencing my true voice any time I feel that speaking honestly could lead to conflict. The limbic system in my brain misinterprets almost any level of threat as life-threatening - even a mildly heated discussion about politics!
My response is to freeze up, shut down and withdraw inside myself. So frustrating! I really want to change this about myself. Journalling about it led to this bit of writing:
I am not the caged animal who tries frantically to escape.
Who fights tooth and nail no matter the odds.
Who, determined, chews off their own leg
to be free of a trap.
I have no Fight or Flight.
I am the deer who freezes when the lion approaches.
I am the one who lies down and waits to die.
Why?
Why?
____________________________________________
I found an excellent article about this here:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/rewire-your-brain-love/201008/four-ways-respond-during-argument
Posts
