How to Stop Taking Things Personally at all Times?

Emotions are indispensable, and they naturally surface when one goes through a series of things, be it happiness, sadness, envy, jealousy, greed, to name a few. Emotions make us, they define us and are a manifestation of our own reflection. They are, say, the state of our being. Some emotions are expressed clearly, and some are repressed. The same emotions lead us in a state of anxiety and nervousness, and we start taking things Personally, even a little joke hurts us at times due to intensity and disturbance of emotions. People just upset themselves over trivial matters and invite tensions in their lives. Sometimes relationships break due to this attitude of people and things take an ugly turn.

It is no use taking things personally. However, we cannot help it, it is the human tendency, but some of us are too pernickety that we deal with things by going into the intricacies and bottom of things in vain. When one take things personally, one just creates an imbalance in his or her mind thereby igniting a tumultuous volcano of emotions within themselves. Life is smooth when we enjoy life, laugh whole-heartedly and involve ourselves in fun for a good laugh. Life should not be taken too seriously as we are all going to perish one day. While there are a number of things that affect us deeply due to their intense nature but some light and good humor, if taken personally, can be a matter of great concern for others which directly impacts you.

How Can People Stop Taking Things Personally At All Occasions?

Human beings are affected a lot either by situations or by people around them. It is our mindset and our own understanding that helps us get through this phase when we take things personally repeatedly and for all occasions. Given below are some points that can help people stop taking things personally:

#1. Build Confidence

People should be confident of themselves while doing anything. It is essential to have confidence in you. It helps you gain a good perspective and can express your true feelings without leaving any gray areas. If you are confident, you get to talk to more people which help in obfuscating the divide that exists between you.

For instance, if somebody finds fault with you, you can lose temper if you lack confidence and go ballistic. But if are full of conviction and grit, you can take it in good light and accept as one of the natural human follies.

Therefore, you need to have confidence in order to avoid taking things at a personal level.

#2. Do Not Care

If you are taking things too personally, it is probably because you care a lot. Stay too involved and occupied to care. Do not bother much about other people. If you have a small friend circle, it is good to think about them and help them solve their problems, But if you remain within the boundaries of caring and loving, you won’t ever escape the trap. Maintain distance from people you feel you are less connected with and do not pay attention to their comments and remarks.

People can read a good book, play a game or just surf the Internet instead of caring too much about people who barely matter.

#3. Self-Analysis

Take out time to assess your emotions and the source of those emotions. Sometimes the knee-jerk reactions are often the result of annoyance; this happens when one takes things too personally. One should introspect and create a good space between oneself and one’s reactions and actions. That you create is a good, positive space around you, is a testimony to the fact that you have created borderlines which cannot be crossed by anyone. These boundaries are for both, you and other people which help you stay sane.

#4. Try To Understand Others Too

Do not take things personally quickly, analyze things, take your own good time to think. Wonder what would you do, were you in their shoes? The fact that you never know what the other person goes through unless you experience life in his or her boots is so true. To avoid your tension and stress, you need to think from someone else’s point of view as well so that you can get an idea as to what is happening. Also, you get to know what triggers your reaction and the reason why you get affected a lot by others. Do not make assumptions, just try to think of others for a moment. You can perhaps comprehend the gravity of the situation perhaps then.

#5. Do Not Reach To Conclusions Quickly

If you constantly belabor under the delusion that people are targeting and attacking you, you are definitely taking things at a subjective level. Stay away from making interpretations which have got nothing to do with you. People often have confusions, but they must clear the conflicts and should not form opinions at the spur of the moment.

Listen to the person and then make your decision. If you let it affect you without even knowing the ground reality or the criticism people are talking about, you can end up being targeted for something which you should not have done. Think, think and think.

#6. Think About The Relationship You Have With The Other Person

People should concentrate on relationships and friendships that are valuable. If a person does not matter you, you need not think about the person, you can just give a wide berth to his or her statement even if he or she happens to target you. When you take things at a personal level, things become complex, and that Gordian knot is extremely difficult to resolve. Therefore, one must focus on one’s relationship to people he or she interacts with.

For instance, if you feel you are under an obligation to always concur with the views of a person, you can certainly keep that person at an arm’s length. If you try to ponder over your group of friends and social circle well, you can stay away from most of the allegations, if any. So, you won’t be taking things at a personal level if you have a good knowledge about your chemistry with others.

#7. Delete Things From Your Mind

If someone has been pestering you in good humor, you can avoid that person, through and through. People cannot take good humor at times because good humor is also an extension of shades of criticism and mockery. No one likes to be mocked and derided. If you are affected by someone’s remarks or taunts, you can directly confront that person and deal with him or her in the similar manner, thereby going quid pro quo.

Make sure you do not get into fights and arguments. Respond and reciprocate in light humor if someone mocks you. Then, don’t forget to remove these incidents from your mind. Do and delete – follow this mantra, and you will surely lead a peaceful and content life.

#8. Do Not Pay Heed To What Others Think Of You

Well, you take things at a personal level when thinking too much of others. Do not give people much importance who hold no value in your life. You can avoid taking things personally by selecting people who matter to you and removing people who do not concern you. Seeking approval and confirmation of others is not at all required. You have your own identity, and you cannot be dependent on others.

You cannot control what people think of you. Similarly, they cannot control your thinking abilities. Certain things are drilled into our minds since our birth that needs to be rooted away. Belong is a bad word. You do not belong to anyone. Accept the original you and do not try to change yourself at any cost.

#9. Probe Your Notions

Our beliefs are not always true. Our beliefs are sometimes made up of the influence around us. It is due to certain rigid notions you begin to think that people are always talking about you. You need to act a little mature and pragmatic and reconsider your viewpoints.

Owing to our iron-clad beliefs, we tend to cook up our own statements and start interpreting things which are utterly absurd. If you consistently question your beliefs and make amendments, you will stop taking things personally.

 #10. Don’t Give People Power Over You

You should clearly state your emotions if you feel like you are targeted anytime. When you give people the power to upset you, they make a habit of annoying you all the time. Such power makes them your dictators. Retain your power back by following your own thoughts and path. Do not get carried away by others’ comments.

Now that you have read the article, you must have got the idea as to how we can stop taking things personally. Please share your comments with us.

(Image Courtesy: 1. The Daily Express, 2.Juno Records, 3. MindBodyGreen, 4. Breaking In The Habit, 5. Kaizen Journaling; Innovative Leisure (Feature Image)