Have you ever experienced someone making you feel as though they were personally targeting you by their words or actions? Maybe they commented negatively on your work, or perhaps they acted as if they were ignoring you in a social situation. If so, you are not by yourself. Many people struggle with the propensity to personalise situations.
We view other people’s actions or comments as a mirror of ourselves when we take things personally. Feelings of rage, despair, or insecurity may result from this. In extreme cases, it may even cause us to retreat from social situations or completely shun specific people.
The good news is that you can stop taking things personally by performing certain actions. Here are some pointers:
Keep in mind that other people’s actions have nothing to do with you
It’s simple to get into the trap of believing that what other people do is all about us. However, the reality is that most of the time, other people do not give us any thought at all. They are preoccupied with their own thoughts too much! It’s critical to keep in mind that when someone offends us with words or actions, it’s probably not about us. They are more likely to project their own anxieties or issues onto us.
Pay attention to your own actions
Focusing on your own actions is one of the best strategies to stop taking things personally. It’s simple to overlook what matters most: your own thoughts, feelings, and actions—when you’re preoccupied with what other people may think. Because you are not as preoccupied with what other people are doing, you are less likely to take things personally when you concentrate on your own behaviour.
Avoid assuming anything
Making assumptions is another error that individuals who take things personally commit frequently. Even when we don’t have all the information, we frequently believe that we know what other people are thinking or feeling. We may experience hurt, rage, or even resentment as a result of this. When we assume, we are projecting our own perspective onto the actions of other people. This is a risk since it can cause us to misinterpret their motivations.
Request further information
Never be reluctant to ask someone to clarify their meaning if you’re unsure what they mean. This is a fantastic method to prevent misunderstandings and resentment. By requesting more information, you give the other person a chance to defend themselves. This can aid in your understanding of their motivations and the reasons behind their statements or actions.
Put self-care into action
Practise self-compassion as one of the most crucial things you can do to stop taking things personally. This entails being forgiving and patient with oneself, even when you mess up. We are less prone to punish ourselves for mistakes when we engage in self-compassion. Because we are aware of our shortcomings, we are less likely to take things personally.
Look for expert assistance
It might be beneficial to seek professional assistance if you’re finding it difficult to quit taking things personally. You can learn the reasons behind your tendency to take things personally from a therapist, and you can also create coping mechanisms.
A significant source of stress and anxiety in our lives is taking things personally. You can have a happier, more satisfying life by learning to quit taking things personally by applying the advice given above.