We’ve all been on the receiving end of a thoughtless comment or a snide remark, and it doesn’t feel great. People’s words can seriously sting, and if you’re a highly sensitive person, they can stay with you for way too long, causing self-doubt and a serious dent to your self-esteem. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 13 tried-and-true strategies to help you stop letting other people’s words affect you so deeply.
1. Work on building your emotional resilience (and mental strength).
Having resilience in this way will basically act as a human shield, making people’s BS basically bounce right off you without ever being able to penetrate. It’s all about practicing mindfulness, trying out stress-reduction stuff like yoga or meditation, and showing some self-compassion. When you do that, those verbal punches won’t sting quite as much (at least that’s the theory).
Oh, and here’s the cool part—mindfulness helps you stay in the moment and not get bogged down by negativity all the time. As a result, you’ll feel much happier in your day-to-day life, which is always a win.
2. Choose Your Battles Wisely.
Dealing with people’s negative comments left and right is so obnoxious. That being said, you don’t have to engage with every single one of them. Seriously, it’s okay to let the minor stuff slide. It’s important to save your energy for the battles that really matter, you know?
Think of it as preserving your emotional fuel for the stuff that’s truly worth your time and attention. Once you start doing this, it magically helps to stop letting people’s words affect you, and you feel so much freer.
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4. Try to hear them out as much as possible.
So, imagine someone’s words hit you like a ton of bricks. Instead of firing back or letting it ruin your day, try this: practice active listening. I mean, really try to get where they’re coming from and why they’re saying what they’re saying. Sometimes people are just dealing with their own stuff, and their words aren’t even about you.
Oddly enough, when you show that you’re listening and trying to understand, it kind of takes the wind out of their sails. It’s like you’re not letting their words rent space in your head—you’re just processing them and moving on.
5. Hold up your self-awareness shield.
You’re amazing in so many ways, and what’s pretty great is that the more you know and accept yourself, the less impact other people’s words will have on you. It’s like having a solid shield around your self-esteem that literally no one and nothing can get through. Knowing your worth is a total game-changer.
When you embrace your strengths and admit your weaknesses (hey, we all have them), you become like this self-confidence superhero. It’s hard to let other people’s words affect you when you’re so sure of yourself. (And hey, if you’re not there yet, you can always fake it ’til you make it.)
6. Bring a little humor to the situation.
Responding to someone’s negativity with a bit of levity lightens the mood and also shows that if they were trying to get to you, it’s definitely not working. This often serves as a wake-up call and either a) makes them realize they were being a jerk or b) tells them that they might as well give up trying to tear you down because it’s not happening.
7. Reframe Negative Feedback.
Getting criticism from people, especially when it’s unsolicited and unwarranted (in your eyes) can seriously get you down. However, instead of seeing it as a personal attack, try to look at it as an opportunity to grow and evolve. If the other person has a point (but not the ability to soften the blow and communicate in a kinder way), try to assess whether or not they have a point in what they’re saying. Getting to the crux of their message can help you decide the best way to reframe it and use it to your advantage. When you master this, you stop letting people’s words affect you negatively and instead give them a positive spin.
8. Establish Healthy Boundaries.
You have the right to set boundaries that protect your emotional well-being. Seriously, make it clear to everyone what kind of language and behavior you find acceptable. When you do that, it’s like drawing a line in the sand. People will know where the boundaries are, and they’ll be less likely to cross them. It’s all about creating a safe and respectful space for communication. Remember, setting boundaries isn’t about building walls—it’s about maintaining your inner peace while nurturing positive relationships with others.
9. Vent in a Healthy Way.
Sometimes you just need to let off steam — we all do. However, instead of losing your mind and acting out, talk to a friend or grab a journal to vent your frustrations. This way, you can let the pressure out without letting it build up and overtake you. Anyway, venting can actually provide clarity and perspective. When you talk it out or write it down, you might discover insights that help you understand why those hurtful words got to you in the first place.
10. Focus on Your Own Growth.
Your self-worth shouldn’t depend on other people’s opinions. Instead, concentrate on your personal growth, your goals, and your achievements. When you’re working towards becoming the best version of yourself, those external negative words become background noise on your path to success.
And here’s the thing—focusing on your own growth empowers you to take control of your life. When you prioritize your goals and aspirations, the impact of hurtful words diminishes because you’re grounded in your own journey and purpose.
