Keeping it Together: What to do if you're getting 'rage texts'
🌷 Happy Saturday, Keeping it Together subscribers. It's Sam Woodward, and I'm curious what your key self care tips are for balancing the craziness of your own life with this news cycle? Send them to me at swoodward@gannett.com, and I may share them in the next edition of Keeping it Together.
Now, onto the news.
Reality TV can reflect so much of our own reality, and that couldn't have been more true than in this week's episode of "The Valley," a spinoff of Bravo's "Vanderpump Rules." Reality star Brittany Cartwright receives "rage texts" from her husband and fellow star Jax Taylor, despite him being in a rehab facility.
Cartwright has opened up about the alleged verbal harm and distress Taylor's messages have had on her as the two navigate an extremely public, and growingly nasty, divorce. Despite her being a reality celebrity, her struggles aren't uncommon.
Nicole Fallert, Wellness reporter and Paste BN's Daily Briefing newsletter writer, broke down the verbal and psychological harm that rage texting can have, and what to do if you endure it.
Tips if you receive emotionally distressing messages
Relationship expert and trauma counselor Jordan Pickell gave Nicole some tips for those experiencing rage texting and verbal emotional harm.
- Take notice of your feelings while reading the messages and disengage if you're feeling unsafe. Further conversing could lead to more attacks, so it's best to stop answering.
- Minimize the person's online access to you. Block them and remove any digital connections with them.
- Seek out a support network. Confide in trusted loved ones and be open about what's going on.
- Consider counseling. Professional help like therapy can be a useful tool for processing emotions. "These folks can be really logical," Pickell says, and an expert can help unravel their justifications and design boundaries.
What is some relationship advice you wish you'd known sooner? What do you still have questions about? Send us your questions and answers to swoodward@gannett.com, and I may share them in the next Keeping it Together newsletter.
👀 Some other Wellness things I've been reading
- It's 2025, are we really still up in arms about women showing some skin?
- This is a good reminder we're all human, and really need to get offline.
- And Paste BN's managing editor of Life and Entertainment Laura Trujillo taught me something new about talking about suicide.
🦋 Before I go, here's what I'm loving this week
- It's prime weather here in Minneapolis, and I'm taking advantage of it by heading to the famous "Tulip House" (yes, that's just a residential house with a lot of tulips).
- I'm looking into "bibliotheraphy" to make some changes in my life while also hitting my summer reading goal.
- And now that it's finally getting hot out, I officially made the seasonal switch from hot to iced coffee using these tips.
See you next week (and happy early Mother's Day to all who celebrate)! And if Mother's Day is difficult for you for any reason, consider unplugging for the day and protect your peace.
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