What Can YOU Do with Toxic Friends or Family?
If you aren’t dealing with someone toxic right now, you probably have in the past, and likely will again.
YOU deserve supportive and fun people in your life.
So, what happens when someone becomes a drain on your emotions and patience? What do you do when conversation lowers your energy or feelings of self-confidence?
You Can’t Always Choose
Sometimes you don’t have options. You can’t just pick your mother-in-law, son’s girlfriend, your spouse’s best friend, co-workers, or next-door neighbors.
Relationships are affected by negativity, jealousy, religious or political views, addiction problems, or a person’s ethical decline. Conversations can bring feelings of happiness… or sadness, guilt, frustration, and grief.
5 Things to Keep in Mind
Prepare yourself with these 5 things you can keep in mind when you know in advance you’re going to engage with toxic friends or family:
- Set a time limit for yourself in advance. Have a place to go and a good reason to get out on time. “Sorry, I have an exercise class that starts in an hour.”
- Go directly to a place you can recover, whether it’s a relaxing bath, a funny movie, or that exercise class.
- Being polite and respectful doesn’t mean you have to agree. Smile and say, “Well, I guess this is one place we’ll have to agree to disagree.” Then, continue to stand there and SMILE.
- Remember that you’re not responsible for anyone else’s problems. We all have our own challenges and it’s up to each of us to get it together!
- Don’t waste time trying to impress. You can’t rationalize with an irrational person and you won’t get a compliment from someone who has a jealous nature. Instead, keep a journal of the good things people say to you in person, in cards, or in emails, and impress yourself when you realize that you are “all that” and more!
Share your thoughts in the comment box below...
What other suggestions might YOU have for dealing with toxic people?
Do you have a good news story to tell?
The look of confidence can help in many situations!
This post has been updated.
Great ideas. I will try several of them next week.
Thank you. You always have such interesting articles
So appreciate the encouragement!!