“How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” — Dr. Wayne Dyer
We’ve all had bad days when something in your life doesn’t go as planned and someone just treats you like absolute crap. This is an inevitable part of life. Maybe it’s your work, your family or a random stranger at Starbucks, but it’s a fact that people suck sometimes. When people treat you like crap, you have two options: You can let it get you down or you can move past it.
But sometimes it’s not that easy. Read on!
Wallowing in your sorrows is a great option and one path that I take quite regularly – but for a few days max. Letting yourself stay down in the dumps does nothing but keep your mindset where it is. Down.
So what do you do when someone treats you like trash
Get out your frustration. But not AT the crappy person unless you’re sure nothing bad can come from it. Some moron cuts you off when you’re cruising along on the highway? Scream to yourself in the car. Your co-worker curses you out at a big meeting in front of your entire team? Don’t curse back. It says more about your co-worker than it does about you. Go for a jog, scream at the top of your lungs, punch a wall, whatever you need to do, do it.
Your first instinct when people treat you like crap is to get defensive and want to fight back. But why stoop to said crappy person’s level and flip out at them? As hard as it can be, sometimes it’s best to just take the high road. You can always turn to your voodoo doll when you get home. Kidding. I think.
As difficult as it may be, when someone really says something out of line, don’t react angrily. Take a deep breath, think before you speak and instead try one of these:
What you want to say: Are you out of your $@%@$ mind?
What you should say: I respect your opinion, but I don’t see things the same way.
What you want to say: I want to @$%@# kill you and I will if you say one more word.
What you should say: I think it’s best if we end the conversation here/touch base later/part ways now.
What you want to say: You’re a @#%#)(@#%.
What you should say: Give me a minute to reflect on what was just said.
What you want to say: You didn’t just seriously say something so #@%#%#% off-base/rude/racist/insert another word here, did you?
What you should say: I don’t agree with your point of view, so let’s just agree to disagree.
Accept that people suck sometimes. When someone treats you like trash, remind yourself why you don’t suck and why you’ll never treat someone the way you’ve just been treated. Because it hurts!!
Where’s all this coming from? Well, let’s just say it has to do with work. Something that happened over the past couple of months that still doesn’t sit right with me…
Anyway, I do believe things have a way of working themselves out in the end.
Be well.
Vanessa says
Excellent post, and a message we all need to hear often. I needed to hear it *today* in particular, so thank you ;-).
As I posted when I shared this on FB, the high road is less accident-prone, and the traffic is pretty light.
Mike says
I take it you didn’t have a good day either!
Izy Berry says
I have been to Paris and I have been treated like crap – coincidence? I think not! haha, there’s crap, mean angry people everywhere so I try not to take the specific location on board, too much.
Diane says
Hi Izy, this post actually has nothing to do with Paris or France. I agree with you that angry people are everywhere, though. That’s for sure! Thanks for commenting!
Kimberly, The Fur Mom says
I love love love this post!
I’ve learned that when someone brings me their drama (their “feedback”) it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with them. I’m their mirror.
I really enjoyed this post.
Diane says
I’m glad, and yes when people flip out, it only makes them look stupid. Thank you for your input!
Waegook Tom says
Now with the last one…if someone is rude/racist/homophobic I don’t let that lie…I call them out for the moron they’re being, even if it is at work.
Everything else though, I do try and let go, even if I’m shaking with anger (like when my boss shouted at me in front of my students this week…NOT cool). Thanks for posting and reminding us to try and stay on the moral high ground!