Life is not all about you. Realizing this is the first step in developing a thick skin. Taking things personally is not only a waste of your time, but it’s also emotionally and physically draining and can cause avoidable relationship drama.
Life Hack: How to Develop a Thick Skin
If your partner starts paying you less attention, do you immediately jump to negative conclusions that they’re mad at you, or are losing interest in you? What if they are withdrawing simply because they are struggling with work or family commitments this week?
#1. Stop taking everything personally.
Behaviors you deem negative from others is about them, not you. Retrain your brain to understand that we don’t all think and behave the same. Just because you wouldn’t act a certain way towards someone doesn’t mean they feel the same way you do and are trying to upset you intentionally. Become less reactive.
#2. Put ego aside.
There isn’t a successful person alive who hasn’t dealt with many failures and rejection throughout their lifetimes. Adopt any useful constructive criticism, dust yourself off and move on to the next opportunity if you don’t have a counter pitch to offer.
#3. Be mindful.
How you speak to yourself can set the tone for your day, week, month, and life. Use positive affirmations and self-love to become your own cheerleader. The more confident you feel, the more you shine externally and naturally start taking things less personally as you evolve and develop a thick skin.
