Negativity

Power-over-our-surroundingsI’m having a hard time with this one lately.

I haven’t quite figured out how to manage the space inside my head and heart when it comes to remembering this when certain toxic people – people I can’t completely separate from, since they’re connected to me through family – begin to spread negativity and try to draw me into the suffocating well of it.

I end up feeling panicky, and my heart-races as it usually does when I am faced with injustice or unfairness. The need to right the wrong and try to smooth things over rises up, because I am a peacemaker and a “fixer” by nature.

Except there is no accomplishing that with these two people. So, although I can ask (and have asked) them to stop contacting me, I haven’t resolved anything. The lingering negativity hangs over my head like a bloated, bilious cloud, affecting my every day activities and feelings.

Does anyone have a go-to poster, message, saying, or mantra that helps when times like this arise? Please post in the comments if you do…or any advice for handling negative people from whom you are unable to detach yourself completely! I’m sure I’ll shake it off soon, but some help in getting there would be most welcome. 🙂

8 thoughts on “Negativity”

  1. I’m reading this book, “HeartMath.” You should check out. There are some techniques you can use to deal with these types of issues. I’ve started doing it. It works. It’s worth the download on kindle to ease those stressful moments, and to start heal from the toxicity.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Linda G says:

    Oh my gosh, sweet sister, there is no panacea. I have tried to share other perspectives with negative people but the problem is that they generally CHOOSE to be negative! When I can’t help and am frustrated beyond reason I try to reflect on this:
    ….whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

    Then I count my blessings and try to “reframe” my perspective. It may not “solve” the problem, but it sure helps me feel better!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  3. Run from these energy suckers as fast as you can! Make excuses – say you have a doctor’s appointment – repeatedly mention a deadline – give them the old ” not feeling well, let’s talk later”. I am a non rehabilitated “people pleaser” who has resorted to avoidance in order to cope with the negative people in my life 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • That’s a good suggestion – and I’ve done so. Unfortunately, on the occasions when I don’t answer the phone to try to avoid the negativity for a bit, I am accused of deliberately ignoring them – or of picking up the phone and hanging up on them (or instructing my children to do so) and then lying about it. Sigh. Negativity is a deep well of bitterness!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment