Have you ever felt hurt by a small comment, even when the other person didn’t mean it seriously? Or do you find yourself thinking for hours about what people said, trying to guess if they were blaming you? If yes, you are not alone. Many people live like this — always worried about what others think, always trying to keep everyone happy, but forgetting about their own peace of mind.
The good news is, you can change this. You can build a thicker skin and protect yourself from unnecessary stress. Let’s look at some simple ways, with examples.
Imagine you’re at a family gathering. Someone says:
“These days people don’t manage their homes properly.”
If you are very sensitive, you may immediately think:
But the truth is, maybe that person was just making a general statement, not about you at all. Yet you carry the pain for days.
Another common situation:
You are tired after a long day. But a distant relative says, “Come visit us tomorrow, it’s been a while.”
Because you don’t want to upset them, you agree — even though you needed rest. Later, you feel frustrated.