Protecting Your Peace

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”― Albert Einstein

Each holiday season looks and feels differently for many people. Some anticipate the time with family and friends to be joyous and fulfilling. While others dread the inevitable conflict, criticism and potential loneliness.

Having quality time with our loved ones doesn’t always go according to plan. Relationships, as we all know, will change. Regardless of how many gatherings you host a year or how many small groups you attend with your closest friends, change is inevitable. But the aspect of change isn’t necessarily the obstacle.

Spending time with difficult people can negatively impact the environment and often keeps us from experiencing the joy we were anticipating. Let’s be honest, we have all been in a room with that friend or family member that has created an unpleasant mood. Sharing a space with difficult people isn’t on our BINGO card nor is it a task that we sign up to do. This type of discomfort can be stressful and trigger anxiety because we might feel trapped or overwhelmed.

We’re not here to speak badly of that difficult person in your life; we want to give you a few tips to help you navigate the situation.

Tip 1: Only engage in conversations that you feel comfortable with

Tip 2: Don’t stay in one place or conversation too long. Move around and engage with others to keep things positive.

Tip 3: Understand and communicate your boundaries. Ex: “I would prefer not to talk about that, can we change the subject?”

Tip 4: Remain aware of your internal dialogue and bodily responses (sweating, shaking, nausea). Use these as cues to know when to take a break.

Tip 5: Have an exit plan. If you’re struggling, it’s okay to leave and find a safe space to recover.

We understand that life isn’t always spent with our favorite people (even though that would be nice) and requires us to be adaptable depending on the environment. Being able to adapt while still enjoying ourselves is the goal when it comes to socialization. Difficult people will always be in our lives, so keeping healthy boundaries and staying mindful is key. Sharing space and spending time with people in general requires a little sprinkle of optimism and a commitment to protecting your peace. So as always, keep leading with love.