The problem with taking things personally, is it makes you emotional and what does emotions make us do? RESPOND! Nine times out of ten it's in anger. I see this a lot on social media and when I first started my website and Facebook page I was bombarded with people's opinions and thoughts. At first I didn't know how to respond, so I responded from a place of emotion. You know who loves to respond from a place of emotion? The EGO! Our ego loves having the last word, defending our craft and setting people straight. How dare you tell me my thoughts aren't valid. I'm going to show you. Yeah, taking things personal can make you write a check your behind can't cash.
Instead of enjoying what I was doing I became emotional and felt the need to constantly defend my thoughts and craft and who's fault was that, nobody's but my own. I wasn't mature enough to not take things personally. No, let me rephrase that, I wasn't knowledgeable enough to know how not to take things "Personally" so I responded the best way I knew how and that was with my emotions. I cringe when I see a celebrity walk down this path, because I personally know how fast it can happen. I think everyone in media should have to take a class in "Not Taking Things PERSONALLY".
Ok, so now that we know we shouldn't take things personally how do we get off the roller coaster:
1.Pause, stop assuming. Stop assuming everything is about you. I love this saying "If it don't apply let it fly" and even if it does apply and you're guilty, stop letting the thoughts and opinions of others take root in your soul. If you need to make necessary adjustments, just do it.
2.SHIFT, tame the emotional beast. When you choose to take things personal you're taking what someone said or did to how you feel. Yup, transferring of energy in full effect. We all know "Hurt People, Hurt People". Take into consideration where or whom the message is coming from. The words that come out of someone else's mouth is rarely truly about you. It's their opinion of you and we all know that's none of our business.
3.SPEAK UP! If you truly feel insulted, say something, but say it intelligently. Respond from a place of resolution, not anger. When we speak from the Ego we feel the need to defend who we are and respond from a place of anger.
4.YOU DON'T NEED NO STINKING APPROVAL! (in my bad girl voice). Just because someone disagree with you, doesn't mean you did something wrong. Their thoughts, their opinions, their RIGHT!!!
Chloe Womack