1. You cannot control their meanness, but you can control how you react. Try to respond by being nice to them.
2. Compassion. It's hard but do try and have compassion towards the person behaving in a mean way. They might be dealing with difficult issues in their life.
3. Sometimes the mean person does not respond to your compassion. Make it clear that you will not be walked over.
4. Notice how the person is making you feel. Are they behaving this way just with you, or with others too?
5. Take care of yourself. If you are hurt, do something that makes you feel better.
6. Use breathing techniques to calm yourself down.
7.Speak with the other person. Tell them how you are feeling. Offer a solution.
8. Escalate the problem to somebody older, or higher in position than yourself or the person who is hurting you.
9. If nothing works, treat the other person civilly, but reduce the amount of time you have to spend with them.
10. Avoid the person when possible. If you have to spend time with that person, always have an exit plan. While you are in their presence, practice patience and compassion.
11. Find a group of kind, non-gossiping, fun people to spend your time with. The world is full of good people, surround yourself in light.
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Very true and helpful tips Claudine. However when mean sprouts from long years of jealousy it can be devastating on the victim. If it is between family or siblings it is worse. The best thing that I find works is staying away from them. Cutting ties with a toxic person is not only liberating but also gives you the space to breathe and live. It works !
ReplyDeleteIt is devastating indeed! And I totally agree, cutting off is amazing, enough toxicity. When you can't, you need coping skills. I hope you're breathing better now. Sending you love x
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