I am not a big crier. I shed tears, if I had to guess, every few months or so. But my best friend? She cries at everything: movies, love songs, memories, how adorable our dogs are—and, of course, during arguments.
I know this because we lived together for years. We occasionally bickered, as roommates do, about dishes, bills, the volume of the TV at night and how much we cranked up the AC during the summer. These conversations often resulted in tears (hers, not mine).
I found this reaction...
confusing, since our disagreements often felt like no big deal to me. Why did suggesting she pay for our Uber ride (since, ya know, it was her turn) send her tear ducts into a tailspin? I’ve since learned that some people simply cry more easily than others. Confrontation, in general, brings up intense emotions , says Molly Burrets, PhD, a clinical psychologist and adjunct professor of marriage and family therapy at USC—and some of us are just more triggered and overwhelmed by, say, a raised voice, direct tone or slight criticism.
If you can relate and you’re fed up with not being able to get through a disagreement without breaking down, know this: It’s absolutely possible to cry less when shit hits the fan. Not that you even need to. But hey, if you want to, we’re here to make your dream of bickering with clear eyes and dry cheeks a reality.
Here’s why you start crying as soon as the vibe gets tense To be clear: There’s nothing wrong with crying. In fact, it’s a completel.