Coping With Our ‘Bad’ Emotions Isn’t Easy
Psychology Today
by Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D.February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Coping with negative emotions is often seen as a challenge, but Daniel Smith's book *Hard Feelings: Finding the Wisdom in Our Darkest Emotions* argues that these feelings are not inherently bad. Smith, a psychotherapist and author, explores six dark emotions—annoyance, shame, envy, boredom, regret, and despair—through a blend of philosophy, psychology, literature, and personal experience. His central message is that rejecting or dismissing these emotions is counterproductive; they hold valuable insights about our inner world and experiences.
Smith highlights how societal norms shape emotional expression and emphasizes the importance of understanding rather than vil
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Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/24/2026