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Psychology
On Not Responding to Negative People
“The less you respond to negative people, the more positive your life will become.” Paulo Coelho
Any one of us can be negative at times. But some folks take bitterness and gloom to the next level. They react harshly to most events, and being around them dampens the atmosphere. I’ve discovered the best way to respond is by not joining in. I didn’t always understand the wisdom of being non-reactive, though.
Many years ago, I had a disapproving housemate. She had something bad to say about everything. If the sun shone, it was too hot. When a friend asked her out, she thought they had hidden motives. She complained she might have a heavier workload when she got a pay rise.
You get the picture.
I didn’t yet recognize the beauty of silence, and I imagined it was my job to help my antagonistic housemate feel better and defend myself when she was critical.
I did not know that some folks were stuck in negativity loops, and unless they wanted to change, no one could cheer them up or make life better for them.
After all, happiness is an inside job. We’re not in charge of altering others’ moods.