Stress is an inevitable part of life, presenting itself in various forms and impacting
our overall well-being in different situations. Fortunately, there exist numerous
outlets to diffuse and alleviate pent-up frustrations, one of which is the emerging
trend of vent or rage rooms.
These establishments offer a controlled environment for individuals to release their
anger, potentially averting actions towards others which can create severe consequences.
Personally, I found visiting the Vent Room in Portsmouth to be a beneficial means of
preventing this overflow of anger. However, I believe that effective venting
requires a proper mental framework to yield meaningful results.
During my session, I opted for a thirty-minute package, and upgraded to include
twenty-four items to smash, comprising glass and ceramics. Upon request, the staff
readily accommodated my desire for a playlist focused on women empowerment.
Donning the appropriate protective gear, including a suit, gloves, and helmet with
visor, I embarked on my smashing journey.
As the music blared, I wielded the aluminum bat, shattering wine bottles and other
items with vigor. Yet, after a mere five minutes, the initial thrill waned.
Amidst a divorce from a long-term marriage, where my aspirations of a lifelong
“happily ever after” story had been dashed, I realized that merely smashing objects
wouldn’t address the root of my rage.
Instead, I needed to confront the obstacles in my life that had led to poor
boundaries and lack of confidence, setting the stage for shattered dreams. With
renewed determination, I assigned metaphorical significance to each item before
smashing it – pride, anger, disillusionment, fear, pretense and more.
With each shattered obstacle, I felt empowerment surge within me, propelling me
towards freedom from my barriers to a healthy persona. As my session neared its
end, I switched to a hammer, pulverizing smaller shards until they were reduced to
powder.
Photo: Vent Facebook page
Overhead, the song “Let It Go” from Frozen played, resonating deeply with my
experience.
As the metaphorical dust of shattered glass surrounded me, I embraced the
symbolism of a new beginning. Like the rebirth of the Phoenix, I emerged from the
room wiser, empowered, and ready to leave the past behind.
The Vent Room in Portsmouth, NH, is located at 95 Brewery Lane, Unit 8. They offer an
alternative boutique activity space and event lounge that focus on activities that
promote self-expression, stress relief and bringing out our inner child. Vent (at this
time) offers 2 types of sessions: SMASH our rage room & SPLATTER our action
painting room.
Check out their website for more information: https://ventwithus.com/
Photos: Vent Rage Room
