Let’s start off with a simple question:
Why do we always take things so personally?
There are admittedly quite a few viable and valid answers to consider. But, the one Angel and I have found to be most common through a decade of one-on-one coaching with our course students, coaching clients, and live event attendees is the tendency we all have of putting ourselves at the center, and seeing everything — every event, conversation, circumstance, etc.—from the viewpoint of how it relates to us on a personal level. And this can have all kinds of adverse effects, from feeling hurt when other people are rude, to feeling sorry for ourselves when things don’t go exactly as planned, to doubting ourselves when we aren’t perfect.
Of course, we are not really at the center of everything. That’s not how the universe works. It just sometimes seems that way to us. Let’s consider a few everyday examples…
Someone storms into the room in a really bad mood, huffing and puffing, and addresses us in a rude way. Immediately we think to ourselves, “What’s going on here? I don’t deserve to be treated like this! They should know better!” And we are left agitated, offended and angry. But the truth is the other person’s behavior has very little to do with us. They got mad at something outside the room, and now they’re reactively venting their frustrations in front of us. We just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This reality doesn’t justify their behavior, but it needs to be consciously acknowledged so we don’t waste too much of our mental energy positioning ourselves at the center of the situation and taking everything personally.
Now, let’s assume for a moment that a person’s actions actually do seem to relate to us directly — we inadvertently did something that annoyed them, and now they’re reacting very rudely to us. A situation like this might seem personal, but is it really? Is the magnitude of this person’s rude reaction all about us and the one thing we did to trigger them? No, probably not. It’s mostly just a statement about this person’s reactions, snap-judgments, long-term anger issues, and expectations of the universe. Again, we’re just a smaller piece of a much larger story.
And likewise, when someone else rejects us, ignores us, doesn’t call us when they said they would, doesn’t show they care, or flat out disrespects us… these reactions have much less to do with us than they have to do with the other person’s history of personal issues. We can learn to silently respect them and their pain without taking their words to heart.
But, again, because we see everything through a lens of how it personally relates to us and ONLY us—a lens that does a poor job of seeing the bigger picture — we tend to react to everyone else’s actions and words as if they are a personal judgment or attack. Thus, other people’s anger makes us angry. Other people’s lack of respect makes us feel unworthy. Other people’s unhappiness makes us unhappy. And so it goes.
If you’re nodding your head to any of this, it’s time to start gracefully deflecting the senseless negativity around you. When you sense negativity coming at you, give it a small push back with a thought like, “That remark (or gesture, or whatever) is not really about me, it’s about you (or the world at large).” Remember that all people have emotional issues they’re dealing with (just like you), and it makes them rude, rambunctious, and downright thoughtless sometimes. They are doing the best they can, or they’re not even aware of their issues. In any case, you can learn not to interpret their behaviors as personal attacks, and instead see them as non-personal encounters (like a dog barking in the distance, or a bumblebee buzzing by) that you can either respond to gracefully, or not respond to at all.
But, of course, this doesn’t come naturally — NOT taking things personally is an ongoing daily practice…
“Notes to Self” for NOT Taking Things Personally
Like you, I’m only human and I still take things way too personally sometimes when I’m in the heat of the moment. So, I’ve implemented a simple strategy to support the practice of watching my response. In a nutshell, I proactively remind myself NOT to take things personally. Anytime I catch myself doing so, I pause and read the “notes to self” displayed below to myself. Then, I take some fresh deep breaths…
If you’d like to practice along with me, I recommend stealing my notes (some of which are excerpts from our books), tweaking them as you see fit, storing them in an easily accessible location, and then reading and re-reading them whenever you catch yourself taking things personally. (Note: For the sake of not being tediously redundant, I only wrote “Note to Self” as a precursor on the first note below.)
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10.
Afterthoughts… on Directly Addressing Offensive People
When someone insists on foisting their hostility and drama on you, just keep practicing — reading your “notes to self” and being an example of a pure existence. Do your best to respect their pain and focus on compassion. Communicate and express yourself from a place of peace, from a place of wholeness, with the best intentions.
With that said, however, sometimes handling offensive people directly is, well, necessary! As mentioned earlier, Angel and I have worked with hundreds of course students and coaching clients over the past decade who were struggling through this very predicament. And gradually, we guided them through several smart yet simple strategies that work wonders. I want to briefly review a few of these strategies with you here, in hopes that you find value in them too…
- Take positive control of negative conversations. – It’s okay to change the topic, talk about something positive, or steer conversations away from pity parties, drama, and self-absorbed sagas. Be willing to disagree with difficult people and deal with the consequences. Some people really don’t recognize their own difficult tendencies or their inconsiderate behavior. You can actually tell a person, “I feel like you ignore me until you need something.” You can also be honest if their overly negative attitude is what’s driving you away: “I’m trying to focus on positive things. What’s something good we can talk about?” It may work and it may not, but your honesty will help ensure that any communication that continues forward is built on mutually beneficial ground. (Angel and I build honest, mindful communication rituals with our students in the “Love and Relationships” module of Getting Back to Happy Course.)
- Proactively establish healthy and reasonable boundaries. — Practice becoming aware of your feelings and needs. Note the times and circumstances when you’re resentful of fulfilling someone else’s needs. Gradually build boundaries by saying no to gratuitous requests that cause resentfulness in you. Of course, this will be hard at first because it may feel a bit selfish. But if you’ve ever flown on a plane, you know that flight attendants instruct passengers to put on their own oxygen masks before tending to others, even their own children. Why? Because you cannot help others if you’re incapacitated. In the long run, proactively establishing and enforcing healthy and reasonable boundaries with difficult people will be one of the most charitable things you can do for yourself and those you care about. These boundaries will foster and preserve the best of you, so you can share the best of yourself with the people who matter most, not just the difficult ones who try to keep you tied up.
- Make extra time for yourself. — Difficult people who wallow in their problems and fail to focus on solutions are obviously hard to handle. They want others to join their 24/7 pity party so they can feel better about themselves. And you may feel pressured to listen to their complaints simply because you don’t want to be seen as callous or rude, but there’s a fine line between lending a compassionate ear and getting sucked into their emotional drama. If you are forced to live or work with a difficult person, then make sure you get enough alone time to relax, rest, and recuperate. Having to play the role of a “focused, rational adult” in the face of relentless moodiness can be exhausting, and if you’re not careful, their toxic attitude can infect you. So remember that even people with legitimate problems and clinical illnesses can still comprehend that you have needs as well, which means you can politely excuse yourself when you need to. (Angel and I discuss this in more detail in the “Self-Love” chapter of our “1,000 Little Things” book.)
- Let them know that you, respectfully, do not care. — This one is essentially a last resort. If you’ve tried your best to communicate respectfully with a difficult person, or to gracefully distance yourself from them, but they insist on following you around and attacking you for whatever reason, it’s time to speak up and tell them that their words are meaningless. In such situations, I challenge you to make this your lifelong motto: “I respectfully do not care.” Say it to anyone who relentlessly passes public judgment on something you strongly believe in or something that makes you who you are.
- If their offensive behavior becomes physical, it’s a legal matter that must be addressed. — If you’ve survived the wrath of a physical abuser in your family, and you tried to reconcile things… if you forgave, and you struggled, and even if the expression of your grief had you succumb to outbursts of toxic anger… if you spent years hanging on to the notions of trust and faith, even after you knew in your heart that those beautiful intangibles, upon which love is built and sustained, would never be returned… and especially if you stood up as the barrier between an abuser and someone else, and took the brunt of the abuse in their place – you are a HERO! But now it’s time to be the hero of your future. Enough is enough! If someone is physically abusive, they are breaking the law and they need to deal with the consequences of their actions.
And obviously, this is just one short blog post that doesn’t cover every possible scenario.
Your turn…
If you’re feeling up to it, we would love to hear from YOU.
Which reminder — or “note to self” — mentioned above resonates with you the most today, and why?
Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
Also, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.
Olivia says
As usual, M&A, you have shared some incredibly valuable insight in this post/email! All the notes connect together so seamlessly and I appreciate the added explanation of why we take things so personally. I never really thought about the fact that I “place myself at the center” of things so often…that really makes sense when I think about some of the stress I’ve had in my relationships recently. I can honestly think of a few times in the not to distant past when I focused on someone’s negative qualities and actions and then took them to heart, unnecessarily.
So, although I’m still learning and growing in this area, your course, coaching and online teachings have guided me and allowed me to make gradual progress—I actually see it now. And this post/email helps me on that journey, too. I’m definitely less hot-headed and a lot more mindful than I used to be. Mindset is half the battle, and with steady guidance I’m mastering it more and more every day.
Also, my daughter and I both have your 1,000 Things book, and are currently reading sections together and discussing them.
Best to you and yours.
Marc Chernoff says
Olivia, your progress has been inspiring to witness. Angel and I are cheering for you. And thank you so much for pre-ordering our new book. That helps us out tremendously.
Sandra Gaye Stevenson says
Marc & Angel, this blog has helped me a lot. I now will be doingn my best to make myself a bigger priority. blessings
Patricia says
Most important thing I learned and keep up front:
What other people think of me, is none of my business!
I constantly worried about what other people thought of me- was I “ good enough” am I “smart enough?” “ pretty enough?”
Today after many years- I could care less what anybody thinks of me. I AM “enough” and I love me!
Vincent Donovan says
Another one of your blog articles dropped into my gmail inbox right when I needed to read it. I can absolutely relate to these notes to self, especially the ones that mention how calmness is a superpower. I agree that when we keep a calm mind, we tend to respond more effectively to the uncontrollable negativity, or the uncontrollable pain, around us. And that makes us more effective and loving listeners and communicators.
Keep up the great work, you two! I’m also ordering a copy of your books today, to support your excellent and selfless work. 🙂
Marc Chernoff says
Thank you for the kindness and for supporting our work by ordering our books, Vincent. We appreciate you.
Renée says
Love this post! I usually take things way too personally. I end up hurting myself and family I love in the process… and it’s usually over something so incredibly small. I WILL copy these and read and re-read them. I’m so glad I opened this post in my email first this morning. And I also just saw that I received the digital recording of your Think Better, Live Better conference that I ordered yesterday. Can’t wait to dive in!
Thanks,
Renée
Monica Burgos-Perez says
Wow! For some reason I just click into this article and it is exactly how I feel. I take a lot of things personally. I thought it was me! Haha. I truly feel passionate about doing things and care about it and sometimes I get attached. Thank you! For this notes. Looking forward to keep reading more from you and improving myself in the weeks ahead.
Diana C says
Thanks for publishing this. I have been saying this to myself and others for some years now. People are not so much out to hurt you as they are on their way to taking care of themselves. You just happen to be the thing or object on their way to getting what it is they are seeking. Yoy guys just did a better job of explaining it.
Julie Shotwell says
I use so many of your articles to help a women’s group I counsel once a week in our county jail. I usually make copies for them to keep & to remind themselves that they are always worthy and have control of their lives, and while they can’t control what others say about them, they have every reason to believe in themselves. Jail does not define who they are!! Thank you so much for all you do. You make a difference!!!
Marc Chernoff says
Thank you for the selfless work you do, Julie.
Jeanette says
If sermons were like this, I’d still be going to my church more regularly. Thank you for such an inspiring , freeing, meaningful passage that spoke to me personally, as I’m sure it did to so many others. You make a Difference.
Nancy says
Amen. Same here!
Reg Finger says
That comment made me a little sad because it seems you are one of the many thousands who have left the church because of bad experience. In a church that is faithful to communicate scriptural truth accurately, you would hear much of what Marc and Angel just said, but tied to scripture and with God explicit rather than implicit. You have challenged me to make more sure that happens in my own church environment. Blessings to you, Reg
Susan says
Once again, you two have knocked it out of the park with this article. I can SO relate. Points 1, 4, and 5 personally resonate with me, when I reflect on recent events in a fairly new relationship and expressions of anger or irritation (and a hint of aggression) reacting to something I said, a suggestion I offered, or a question I asked. The relationship ended recently and despite missing the good parts, I value myself too much to be demeaned.
Mary says
Taking things personally is my daily process with this family. Thank you for your helpful posts. I am dealing with too much stress as a wife, mother, grandmother and caregiver to my 22 yr old, who is a traumatic brain injury. Your recorded course material and little weekly messages help me so much.
Bernard Shuford says
Sheesh. I needed this really badly today. Oh, wait, I need it really badly EVERY flipping day. I have one particular relationship that I struggle with very, very badly in this regard. Freaking awesome post.
Not that I’ll be likely to pull it off regularly, but I shall try. Try and try again, probably.
Susan says
Yay! Love your candor, Bernard. I am also a huge fan of “sheesh.”
We’re all beautiful, flawed, broken, amazing beings.
Thank YOU.
June says
I actually needed this today! Yesterday, I was horribly hurt by someone very dear to me. His not speaking to me (after a conflict), no eye contact, completely avoiding talking about the issue: well, it broke my heart. I wept & wept. I cried myself to sleep. His anger led me to take it personally….I felt like a child again. My friends came by & knocked on the door but I refused to answer it. I just want to flee! Where can I go?! Being hurt by a dear friend is very painful! (And I’m 70!!) I’m in the “flight” mode. I sure needed your message today. I’m going to try to put it into practice! Love, June
Pam says
June, I have the exact thing happen to me and I reacted how you did and I’m 69! I appreciate hearing at this age, I should know more about these issues and handle them better. That shows we are learning everyday and I am grateful for these posts to keep me grounded!
Thank you June and to our Life Coaches!
Pam
Mike says
This is one of your better recent blog posts. Love it! Of course that might be because this time it was timely for me.
Last week myself and two other senior management colleagues learned our roles had been eliminated because our boss had been planning a reorganization that was secretly much more dramatic than had been expected. 48 hours later we were packing or offices to make room for three new outside hires.
While it was a shock I also approached the situation with the principles you outline here. It has given me the power to see it all as one big opportunity. On Saturday I applied for a great job I wouldn’t have even seen had this not gone down. On Sunday I decided to set up to drive for Lyft just for fun while I start planning for my next career move.
You are right. How you react to adversity is a huge part of feeling good and in control.
Tan says
Thank you Marc & Angel, you have broken down and simplified a very common human behavior. One which not only causes sleepless nights but also many ailments.
I used to say I’m born sensitive. With time, I realized everyone is sensitive. We all internalize and process differently. Some lash out, others retreat, and then there are those who live in the drama of it all.
Sometimes, we can walk away from a situation but when we live in situations from which we cannot walk away, it would serve us well to look within and learn from it.
My mantra which I repeat many times during the day 🙂
I will listen without judging or reacting
I will not take it nor make it personal
I will respond calmly with clarity or walk away peacefully.
Wish you both many blessings.
Darla says
Thank you Marc and Angel for another great post. I am anxiously waiting for your newest relationships book (just ordered this morning). I really like #7 today. I was married to a covertly aggressive narcissist for twenty years who made everything a personal attack. I stayed with him so long because I didn’t take it personally. I still have to interact with him because of the school aged kids and their activities. But, now that he is mostly gone from my life, I really need to no longer let his behavior affect my thoughts. A great thing to replace those old negative thoughts is to notice things I like and then consciously like that I like those things. For instance, I like the color turquoise. And, I like that about myself. In other words, I like that I like the color turquoise. So, now I am smiling and thinking positive thoughts about myself instead thinking about the stupid text message he just sent me.
Barbara says
What a neat approach! I am very close to someone in almost the exact situation as you! Another case of thinking you are the “only one” going through this! Good luck to you!
Tiffany says
Honestly your emails mean A LOT to me. I feel as if you’re speaking directly to me and described my daily life, mind, relationship struggling. I just want to say Thank you so much for your very insightful writings and teachings through your conference videos. You’re really helping me and friend (who is going through a divorce alongside me) continue our own journeys with your help and encouragement. Thank you so much God Bless you!:))
Tiffany McNeary
Mark says
Number 10 was the one that hit me this morning since I have been trying for decades to get my wife (who I love) to see me for who I am and understand what’s important to me in a marriage. Frustration and anger end up entering my head and need to realize that my needs are not important to her so it’s time to stop blaming and start living.
Rosalie says
When I became wheelchair-bound in 2010, I thought things couldn’t get any worse. Boy. I was wrong. Multiple sclerosis had stolen my ability to walk and my ability to see without a prism added to glasses so I could see the world without double vision. My vision is also so poor that I use a huge flatscreen TV for my computer monitor. It really did get a whole lot worse before it has recently started to get better (mentally).
Have you seen the movie, Alice in Wonderland, where Alice is pressured to make a decision whether or not to marry a guy who has many dietary issues? She flees quickly from the situation and ends up falling down a rabbit hole. Her downward spiral got crazier and crazier until she clawed her way back up to get out of the hole. When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005. I took it personally that people didn’t know I was ill. Many people assumed I was drunk because I walked with a stagger. I was frustrated at the constant assumption of my drunkenness (I don’t drink), but I felt a sense of superiority when I made the declaration that I had multiple sclerosis. Their downfallen face at statement gave me a sense of satisfaction. Awful, I know. After much self reflection and desire to personally grow, I have become a different person. The decision to BE kinder and to BE happier, has led me to where I am right now. Thank you Marc and the Angel for your constant illustrations on how to think differently. There is now quite a range of words no longer in my vocabulary because of my efforts to change. I greatly look forward to reading the upcoming book.
Lucille says
I look forward to reading your posts every day as they are all so relatable to a greater or lesser degree. This post is especially poignant in that it has helped me understand and cope with the estrangement of my adult son. Although he insists that the self destructive problems of his youth are my fault, I now understand that this shunning behaviour is about him, not me. I can let go of some of the pain of losing him and focus on myself. He is doing what he thinks is best for himself and, as I accept that, I can focus on doing the same for myself.
Mary Stephenson says
Going to save all those reminders. Sometimes others frustrate us beyond belief, but it is our problem not their’s. It is all about how you perceive life should be and it is not always as others believe it should be for them.
When things go well, we expect them to continue and every once in awhile someone throws a monkey wrench into our well-thought out life and totally upsets harmony.
If only we could control… but that is not ours to do so. You have to pick yourself up and brush off the negative and keep seeing the bright side of life.
Thanks for the inspiring words.
Pamela says
Whew! You guys said a mouthful here and all so real and true. As a person who is new to your site and newly practicing meditation and mindfulness I can say I am guilty of all of the above. Instantly reacting has been my style and I realize that its because I tend to take things personally most times. I guess I am highly sensitive but I am beginning to view that as very ugly. I recently ordered your GBTH book and am looking forward to it helping me to grow past these behaviors. Thank You very much for your insight and guidance. This is a new endeavor for me especially to be changing my behaviors/responses at 60 years old but I am determined to do so and to become a better, mindful, more compassionate and peaceful person.
Pamela says
Thank you for your calming words. Things have been tricky recently with many serious issues occurring that have impacted on my life which sometimes leaves me with a variety of feelings ranging from sadness to anger. I am grateful for my wonderful life and and am so blessed with an amazing family and lifestyle but sometimes it is hard. I now have a new superpower Calmness! My grandchildren will be delighted they often ask what is my superpower and now I have one.
I have ordered your new book and can’t wait for it to arrive. I receive your emails everyday and they are such a boost. Thanks again for your amazing service.
Pamela (Australia)
Carol says
Thank you so much. This was a wonderful read. I have put your “Notes to Self” in a Journal I read often. I know I will be reading them often for inspiration. I thank you and look forward to your emails every day .
Lexi says
Totally agree with you! And good point on boundaries at the end too. I have to save this and read it again and again! Thank you! Really needed!
Roimata says
Good points and I especially agree with how you ended it. Boundaries and speaking up is necessary sometimes. If the angry person is your spouse of 45 years is it reasonable? Neural researchers have established that anger stimulates the reward center of the brain. Angry people feel that there is no other way to be in the world. They feel justified. So no. It is ok to call out people who react with anger. It is ok to ask them why they are behaving angrily. It is ok to tell them there are other ways to respond to the triggers to their anger. It is ok to say no you are making me angry now. Please stop. Otherwise we are doing what women have had to do ever since men and women cohabited. Be doormats. The all absorbing peacemaker whose resources get depleted. Anger that is channeled into action is awesome to behold. Silence is not always golden.
Two's Company - Three's a Crowd says
Thanks – I have a book I keep at my desk and I will add every single Note to Self. For over a year I’ve been the subject of gossip in my small office. It’s wearing me down because it does feel so much about me!
I know I have an expectation of my coworkers – to NOT gossip! They just can’t stop and it makes the air weird and they sit so smug.
I’ve never engaged and have tried to hope w time they would move on. I just kept being me – doing my thing – and in every other area of my job I do well and I know I’m helping our employees. So it doesn’t all feel hopeless.
Today I’m on the verge of resigning, but instead, I will read these Notes to Self, and the points at the bottom, and see if it helps me.
*new reader*
Thanks,
Jason says
I too agree with how you ended this post. Those final points at crucial. Though I wish everyone didn’t take things so personally and were more respectful of each other, I can’t expect them too or need them too.
There will always be people who are hurtful towards you and even though their negativity may be coming from their upbringing, bad life experiences, etc, they still need to know it’s NOT ok to behave disrespectfully to others.
People need to stand up to bullies sometimes. If we just ignore them, it’s not like the bullies will stop their ways. There are times they need a wake up call to know we live in a society, not in a zoo. Sometimes it’s’ only after they get a smack to the face that they realize they shouldn’t have acted the way they did.
But as with everything, things should be taken in moderation. Don’t take things too personally, but don’t let people step on you either.
Maria Behar says
I do agree with you guys, and like others have said, I truly appreciate your take at the end about actually addressing offensive people that can no longer be ignored. Some thoughts based on my experience…
In those situations in which someone is in a bad mood, and we just happen to be there, I can see where that would not be personal. However…..this only holds up if the people who are taking their anger out on us are strangers. If, on the other hand, this is someone we know, and they are CONSTANTLY taking their frustrations out on us, then something else is going on. For one thing, WHY would this person be doing this to US specifically? The answer is that they see us as easy targets for bullying. Perhaps they can sense insecurities in us, and thus, we are vulnerable to their attacks. Some people who do this to us habitually — again, I’m not referring to strangers here — might be jealous of us, or see us as standing in the way of something (or someone) they want.
There are other cases in which we are, indeed, justified in taking things personally. These are cases of domestic violence. Domestic violence is not always physical. It includes emotional and verbal abuse. It includes manipulation and gaslighting (a manipulative technique in which the perpetrator attempts to convince the victim that what they are seeing and experiencing is really a figment of their imagination). It includes subtle and overt putdowns of the victim. The purpose of all these things is CONTROL of the victim. Yes, this IS personal. No doubt about it. I can say this with total conviction because I was in an abusive marriage, and my husband did most of these things, except for physical violence. He came VERY close, though. On one occasion, he picked up a chair and made as if to throw it at me. On another, he drew his fist back as if he were going to hit me. Thankfully, he didn’t follow through on either occasion. And that was because abusers KNOW how far they can go with their victims. They ANALYZE their victims. In my case, my husband knew that, if he laid a finger (or an object) on me, I would not hesitate to have him arrested.
This man abused me verbally and emotionally, nearly every day. Yes, we had some good times. However, there were more bad than good times. His verbal and emotional abuse was RELENTLESS. I was inept. I just NEVER did ANYTHING right. I spent too much money (he said this despite the fact that I was the one who worked and paid the bills). This man said the most HORRIBLE things to me. After that marriage was over, I had to go into extensive therapy in order to recover from it. AND, on top of all this, he CHEATED on me, and ALWAYS denied it. In fact, he would YELL at me at the top of his lungs if I DARED to confront him with evidence of his cheating.
There are still other situations in which rudeness, criticism, and downright abuse ARE personal. I have encountered such situations in work settings. Like that job where my boss’s assistant was constantly on my case, constantly — and very rudely — reprimanding me. One day, I said to her, “If you’re going to talk to me with an attitude, please don’t talk to me.”. Her reply, which I will NEVER forget: “If you don’t want to be spoken to with an attitude, why do you take a job with no authority?” In other words, since I was not a manager or supervisor, I was FAIR GAME. I later found out that she was prejudiced against my ethnic group. Now, it’s MORE than evident that her constant abuse WAS, indeed, PERSONAL. She did not like the ethnic group I happen to belong to.
As I mentioned above, sometimes people will abuse us because we have something (or someone) THEY want. That happened with a neighbor I later found out had been having an affair with my (now) ex-husband. Now, this was NOT a random stranger, but someone I saw on a regular basis. Whenever I saw her, I would greet her in a friendly manner. I would say, “Good morning”, or “Good afternoon”, “How are you? How’s your mom?” etc. She would ALWAYS make a huffing noise, and turn away from me. Right. BECAUSE SHE WAS SECRETLY BANGING MY HUSBAND.
So, regarding the topic of “not taking things personally”, it all depends on the situation, and who is being rude, critical, or abusive. If it’s a random stranger, then yes, you can just take a deep breath, and try to brush it off. There’s one important point here, though. People who have been abused in their past will be triggered to take things personally MUCH more easily and quickly than those who have never been abused. This is especially true in the case of those who have not been in therapy in order to heal from the abuse.
Reality is not as black and white as many people think it is. So, bottom line, in the case of “not taking things personally”, you really have to see what the circumstances surrounding the rude or abusive behavior is. Also, who is engaging in the rude or abusive behavior? If it’s someone you see on a regular basis, then there might very well be something really nasty behind this behavior. In such cases, one needs to sit up and take notice. In the case of a spouse who might be engaged in an affair, a frank discussion with said spouse is in order. From there, marital counseling is called for. If that doesn’t work, then divorce is the next step. In the case of a jealous co-worker or supervisor, one needs to see if it’s feasible to speak to someone in Human Resources. If this is not an option, then one simply has to update one’s resume, and start looking for another job.
Sadly, sometimes the people who say and do hurtful things to us are our own family members. In some extreme cases, it might even be necessary to cut them off completely. It’s not unusual to hear of cases in which a woman steals her own sister’s boyfriend or husband. There are even cases of mothers who are very competitive with their own daughters, and do the same! These are the women who will constantly criticize and put down their female relatives, because said relative has a boyfriend or husband that THEY want. Obviously, this type of thing HAS to be taken personally.
Let’s face it: some people are TOXIC. So they are to be avoided. We avoid toxic substances, don’t we? Well, the same goes for some people.
Life is too short to be miserable. VERY TRUE. But sometimes, just “shrugging things off” doesn’t work, because the person behaving badly toward us has an AGENDA of some sort. And these are usually people we see on a regular basis, unfortunately. They are NOT random strangers. Cutting such people out of one’s life is the best strategy. Then, if necessary, one must have the courage and compassion toward oneself to enter therapy, and stick with it until one is healed. That will help to avoid triggering by random strangers.
Thank you for this article, for your books, and for the opportunity to have my opinion heard.
P.S. I am already subscribed by email too and love the content each week. <3 : )
Marc Chernoff says
Maria,
We are in agreement, 100%. As you know, this is just one article that doesn’t cover every possible scenario. Physical abuse, as mentioned for example, is absolutely an example of where you need to stand up for yourself quickly.
Anyway, thank you for sharing your insight with us, and here are a couple additional articles that I think you will resonate with:
– 10 Things to Remember About Toxic Family Members
– 7 Things to Remember When You’re Scared to Speak Up
Dan says
Wonderful post.
I was just thinking about how much suffering I generate by placing expectations on people’s actions and feeling hurt when the do not behave in a situation as I believe they should. I then randomly came upon your post in my inbox and gotten a big picture view of this whole process. Thank you for your commitment to others!
Barbara says
Such a helpful post; thank-you! Today I especially related to #s 5 & 6. (and all the comments of other readers!)
Jade says
The first “note to self” is something I really needed to see today. I was wondering if it would be okay to create something that I could put in my office at work with that quote? That way I could see it and remind myself of it daily. Thank you!
Lisa Brown says
Wow! God is good, this was right on time for me today!! Thank you so much for posting. I subscribed to your email.
Martha says
WOW!
Thank you so much. I was ready to take a negative turn but thank God
for your words. I struggle to make sense of the anger inside toward a inward detached self absorbed person I live with. I am very lonely and need every tool I can get to cope. I guess in the end we are all alone. I am slowly trying to move forward to create a positive existence in a new environment and at the same time be a caregiver to a self centered, negative person.
Thanks again for your meaningful communication! It is so true that having expectations that cannot ever be fulfilled is a total waste of life.
Kajal says
I love your blog. You people r doing great in the world!
love from INDIA 🙂
Anne says
Love this post. Lots of wisdom here — and it comes at a time when many of these realizations have become front and centre in my life. The 10 points will travel with me from now on. Thank you. 🙂
Joanne Tom Yick says
Thank you for these notes to self…every single one resonates with me.
My 19 year relationship came to an end recently and your emails have helped me over the years so I was able to come through this gracefully and with my sanity in tack…thank you for continuing to inspire me.