How to Stop Getting Offended So Easily

There are multitudes of ways people are getting offended these days. But if you’re constantly getting enraged by the world, your life won’t be enjoyable. Not to mention your mental health and perspective on the future will suffer. You don’t deserve that.

Your life is more vast and incredible than what one person said in less than a minute. You’re too powerful to allow these things to affect you.

If you keep your mind healthy and aimed at making yourself better, life has no choice but to transform for you.

But if you stay in victim mode, each day will be more challenging than the last.

I understand because I get offended by propaganda, hate, lies, and racism. My blood boils, and I lash out at people. Then I feel bad for it, and the other person never changes their ways.

So, it’s a waste of time to ruin my day because others don’t think the way I do. It’s difficult, but it’s essential to let it go.

Decide today to take back your happiness and not get offended by people.

Here are some ways you can stop getting offended:

1. Stop getting offended by what you can’t change

“The only real conflict you will ever have in your life won’t be with others, but with yourself.”

― Shannon L. Alder

Unless it’s an outrageous offense, it’s better to not let it bother you. If you can do something about it, do it. However, if there’s no way you could change the situation, let it go. Or don’t be around the offensive person.

Also, complaining on social media about things you can’t control doesn’t make you a better person. How people live or what they believe isn’t up to you. Luckily, your life and how you feel are under your control.

2. Don’t look for reasons to get offended

“Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself.”

— Harriet Nelson

If you look for offensive things, you’ll always find them. You may not realize it, but you might be unconsciously searching for reasons to get heated.

So don’t scroll through Facebook, looking for things that upset you. Then calling it out, so your friends think you have such high morals. You’re just making yourself look like a “Karen,” so do yourself a favor and stop. Change your outlook and look for things to share that make you feel joyful.

3. Let go of getting offended about people’s opinions

“To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.”

—– David A. Bednar

Understand that someone’s opinions of you are not valid. So don’t take it as the truth because you’re the only person who truly knows who you are. Others can only guess, project, or assume. So, detach from their words and stop using apps that upset you.

If someone is rude to you, you can choose to not get offended. That will take power from the other person because they wanted you to explode in anger. Certainly, don’t reward them for their behavior.

Ask yourself:

• “In the big picture of my life, does Sally’s opinion change anything?”
• “Are they trying to irritate me? Or are they lashing out because they’re hurt and don’t know how else to handle it?”
• “How am I trying to feel right now? Better or angrier?

The reason people get offended is the importance they give to what others do or say. As a result, you feel hurt because of the meaning they’ve attached to it. Stop thinking it’s so important and let it go.

4. Remember why you should get along with this person

“Just because you’re offended, doesn’t mean you’re right.”

— Ricky Gervais

If you can avoid those who purposefully try to offend you, then keep your distance. But that’s not always possible. Offensive people are sometimes family members, your spouse, or a co-worker. So, it’s not realistic to never speak to them again. You must remember why you want them in your life. For instance, if you’re arguing with a relative about politics, remember why you love them. In this case, the best way to respond is with kindness and to agree to disagree. Then move on to another topic.

5. It’s not about you anyway

“Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach it.”

— Rene Descartes

The hurtful things people say don’t mean that you’re a worthless person. You’re not. In fact, it’s not about who you are at all. If your parents mistreated you, it wasn’t about you; it was about them. A friend who blows up at you is reacting to the tragedies in their past as well.

Furthermore, they’ll continue to harass you if you react in the way they hoped you would. Many of them want to see you flip out and cause a commotion. That reaction proves that they were successful in ruining your day. Now they aren’t alone in having a terrible time, so they got what they wanted.

They’ve been through traumas, but they don’t know how to cope with them. So, you don’t have to get bothered by it. Besides, it isn’t about you at all. It’s about the kids who teased them in school or how their parents treated them. So, don’t get angry or sad because it has nothing to do with you, and their words don’t define who you are.

You don’t need to convince others that you’re a worthy human. You know who you are. So, shrug it off and walk away. Don’t reward them with your attention. You’re stronger than that, and there are more critical things that need your focus.

6. Don’t listen to your ego

“That which offends you only weakens you. Being offended creates the same destructive energy that offended you in the first place – so transcend your ego and stay in peace.”

— Wayne Dyer

Being ego-driven is a sure-fire way to continually feel offended. It’s who people believe themselves to be or how they want others to see them. People aren’t out to attack, embarrass, or hurt you. What’s worse is this mindset can make you feel like a victim for the rest of your life.

Also, you could mistreat others without realizing it. If someone tells you that you upset them, don’t get defensive.  A huge ego is a fragile ego. It’ll cause you to feel insulted by others when they didn’t mean to hurt you.  You’ll feel like you’re always on guard from any attack. So, if someone brings up something you did that bothered them, listen to them. Be strong and let them know that you’re sorry that wasn’t your intent. That will end the argument, and you’ll gain some respect.

7. It’s not your job to change people

“If you’re going to be offended, don’t put yourself in that position.”

— Ray Stevenson

Don’t try to change others. It won’t work, and you’ll end up looking like a jerk. If someone wants help, they’ll ask for it. Otherwise, accept them and love them for who they are. The more you think that other people’s behaviors affect your life, the more it will. So don’t attempt to change their beliefs, religion, or lifestyle. You can only change yourself, so focus on that.

8. Accept yourself and others

“If you are easily offended you are easily manipulated.”

— Makosi Musambasi

Acceptance destroys offensive thoughts toward yourself or others. Accept who you are so that way no one can upset you about it. Your value doesn’t come from others’ opinions. Also, accept how others are. Everyone is imperfect, but we all have inherent value. Appreciate your differences instead of getting angry about them. It’s the many varieties of people that make life so amazing.

In short, you’ll be much happier when you stop getting offended so much. It’ll give you unshakable confidence, and people will stop bothering you. They’ll see that it doesn’t work anymore.

Give up on trying to change others and accept them instead. Look for ways they are valuable and good people. Don’t look for reasons to get offended; it’s not about you, anyway. Detach from people’s rude opinions and respond with kindness. It’s your choice to ruin your day by getting offended. Choose to have a great day instead.

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