"Letting go of toxic people is an act of self-care."
- Karen Salmansohn
We can't avoid negative people. They exist in our lives to spread negative vibes. We see them out in public. We interact with them at work. We may even have to encounter them at family gatherings. Some people just live to complain. They don't want to, "Have a nice day." They would rather be miserable. There are actually people who find comfort in despair. Some people just want to piss you off because they don't see any reason why you should be so happy if they are not.
The great thing is, we do not have to allow negative people to dictate our mood. We don't have to give them the satisfaction of upsetting us. We don't have to give in to their plea to join in on their misery party. It's not fair to anyone else who is minding their own business. It's important to set boundaries with people and let them know what makes you uncomfortable or crosses the line with you. It's not impolite. It's self-care. We are not obligated to consort with others, especially if they have a pattern of spreading negativity.
Photo by Jason Strull on Unspalsh
There are settings where we are forced to interact with negative personalities. We can still choose to not get sucked into someone else's drama even when they are attempting to get us involved somehow. There will always be times when we cannot avoid the negativity and drama, but we can minimize our involvement. By setting healthy boundaries with people, we let them know where we stand when it comes to negativity and drama. The more we can avoid having to deal with the Debbie and Donnie Downers of the world, the much better off we can be.
As we get older, we learn about the people who lift us up in life and the people who drain our energy. If we have gotten any wiser, we have drifted toward the people who lift us up, while spending less and less time with the people who drain our energy. We should always opt for the room of positive attitudes as opposed to a room full of negative ones. Just because the negativity exists does not mean we have to endorse it or even be ok with it. I don't know about you, but I'm all about good vibes and good times. The Debbie and Donnie Downers can bring their negative attitude somewhere else.
More Wellness!
Healthline: Do’s and Don’ts for Dealing with Toxic Behavior
Psychology Today: Toxic People: How to Recognize and Avoid Them
Very Well Mind: Ask a Therapist: How Do I Deal With Negative People in My Life?
