Hello, host!
From what you've said, it seems like you tend to avoid interpersonal issues as they arise, without dealing with your emotions. You often use a strategy of forbearance, but long-term forbearance can make you start to deny yourself, feeling a sense of self-blame for why you didn't act well at the time, as well as a sense of self-guilt for why you were so cowardly. When you add up all these feelings, it can make you feel conflicted and helpless.
Forbearance might be driven by a fear of conflict, so I'd like to share some tips on how to handle it.
When you're faced with conflict or bullying, you usually have two main options:
Dealing with it head-on.
Avoid.
The former is often seen as strong, powerful, and courageous, while the latter is often seen as weak and cowardly. But is it good to deal with conflict?
Is avoiding conflict always a bad thing?
Not necessarily.
First, let's talk about why some people are afraid of conflict. It's because they're the ones who lose and suffer in a conflict. And the people who often win in a conflict are not afraid of conflict.
If you're bullied, you'll lose resources and self-esteem. The bigger the losses, the more you'll mind being bullied.
So, can dealing with conflict help you avoid losing, or even benefit you in some way?
There are three possible outcomes:
You have a conflict, the other person gives in, and you reach a compromise. You get more benefits, which is the best result.
This makes you strong and courageous, wise and clever.
If you choose to conflict but the other person doesn't change, you still haven't gained anything and haven't lost anything either. In this way, although you haven't won, you have tried, you have done your best, you have defended yourself, and you have been very brave.
If you choose to conflict, the other party will be more motivated, which will do you more harm and you will lose more as a result. It's like the conflict between an egg and a stone. I don't know whether to praise you for being so brave or to laugh at you.
The best way is to study the other person, figure out the strength gap between you two, and then decide whether to conflict, insist, or compromise. But this research and judgment requires a certain level of professional competence.
And choosing conflict isn't free. As soon as you choose to go to conflict, you have to invest time, energy, and opportunity costs, and you'll be consumed by it.
Picking a fight is a matter of investing and getting back what you put in.
If you invest the time and energy, you'll probably get a compromise from the other party, and you'll be better off. But if they still don't change, you've spent a lot of energy on something that has no result, and you've actually lost out.
If the other person hurts you more as a result, you'll have suffered a bigger loss.
In reality, when you choose to engage in conflict, only the first result is likely to be beneficial. But what is the probability of that first result?
People who are afraid of conflict automatically think there's a low chance of the first thing happening, so they choose the safer option of avoiding conflict.
What should you do when you're facing bullying in your professional life? Should you admit defeat or stand up for yourself?
Only those who know themselves and their opponent are worthy of hard steel. But this is very draining.
We all have limited energy, so we have to make choices about how we use it.
It's not always going to be a positive outcome.
Keeping up with the times is an ongoing process.
There's another way of living: being unyielding.
They're both good. Being a coward or a hero just means you're someone with a different "financial management style," and that style is the best for you.
If you're afraid of conflict, you can choose to step away from the situation. This is your "stop loss" approach, and it's a way of protecting yourself. It shows that you're a prudent financial player.
Life isn't just about conflict. It's also about flourishing. It's a way of life to spend a lot of time and energy on conflict and bravery.
Avoid conflicts you're not good at and focus on the bigger picture. Even if you lose a little in a conflict, you'll gain a lot in the wider world. You can't win every battle, but if you win some, you'll come out on top.
Like bravery, cowardice is also a kind of wisdom, an advantage, and an optimal customization that suits you.
I hope these thoughts will inspire you! Have a great day!


Comments
I understand that feeling, it's tough when you replay those moments over and again. It's like a loop in your head, and the more you think about it, the worse it gets. Maybe finding a way to express those feelings can help, like writing them down or talking to someone who won't judge you.
It sounds like you're carrying a lot of weight from past interactions. Sometimes, just acknowledging that you have the right to feel upset can be a relief. Learning to set boundaries might also help protect you from people who take advantage of your kindness.
Reflecting on past events is natural, but it can be draining. Have you tried focusing on what you can control now? Building up your selfconfidence could make a big difference. Remember, it's okay to stand up for yourself without being aggressive.
You're not alone in feeling this way. Many of us struggle with the same issues. Perhaps learning to say no more often and practicing assertiveness can empower you. It's important to value your own needs and feelings as much as anyone else's.
It's frustrating when we look back and wish we had handled things differently. But remember, every experience teaches us something. Maybe this is an opportunity to grow and learn how to handle difficult situations better in the future. You deserve to be treated with respect.