The upside of feeling down

In the animated film Inside Out, the character named Sadness saves the day. This may be a story designed to teach children the importance of listening to their feelings, but there are many grown-ups who stand to benefit too – this writer included.

“There is so much to be gained from the emotions we tend to shut down, like anger, envy or shame.”
– Dr Sarah Woodhouse

I’ve always prided myself on being an optimist, perhaps exacerbated by my husband’s propensity for what I