How To Not Let Mean Comments Get To You
Today I talked to a good friend who was very upset. She hit a bump on the road to her desired career and just completely broke down. Of course, it is easy to get discouraged when you start facing obstacles, but it felt like there was more to the story. It turned out that the real problem was that someone from her past, as if knowing that she was at a low point, came back just in time to be that last straw and pushed her over the edge.
We can't control people cutting into our lives at their own convenience, but we can be in charge of who we pay attention to. Of course, nobody likes confrontation or negative energy, but the fact that someone decides to provoke you (intentionally or not) doesn't mean you should just let them. Do you ever invite people you don't necessarily like to your house and offer them a meal while they leave dirt from the street all over your perfect white carpet? When you let someone get to you that easily, that is what exactly what is happening.
Ignoring the people who try to get your attention and upset you doesn't really help because you will only bottle up the anger. The only thing that helps is acceptance and understanding what the real reason behind the mean comment is. Honestly, I don't think people are just evil and want to hurt you for the sake of it. There is always something else. Maybe, that person is dealing with something big that is not even connected to you and just happened to poor out the negativity on you. Chances are, you've been that person as well. So before taking things deep into your soul, distance yourself and analyze what happened. As Jen Sincero writes in her book: "What other people say about you has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them". Observe the situation and let it go past you. Wish that person to get to the point of harmony where they will be so happy and pleasantly overwhelmed they won't have time for the negative comments.
Pay attention to those who deserve it. I am sure you have plenty of people like that around you.
