Opposite Action Saves the Day

This skill feels like an important lifeline. Have you ever left a situation and wish you had handled it differently? Opposite action is a skill that reminds us that we can choose to the opposite of what we want to do or feel the instinct to react in a way that does not serve us to build a life worth living. Now we can change our plans in real time to suit a situation.

If you are like me and have suffered with wanting to isolate and not participate in life, this skill is for us. For each of the Emotion Regulation Skills the paper dolls are dressed in their evening gowns. I made this choice because these skills seem to apply when things are extra, when we are have to get out in the world and be among our potential triggers. It is important to remember that in any circumstance we can choose to do the opposite of what we naturally think to do. We can choose to have courage and get involved in the world around us, we can choose to have a better attitude, we can choose to participate rather than withdrawal.

We know you must have some stories about when you have used opposite action to save the day. Share them with us. We want to hear how you used the skill or wish you had.