Dealing with toxic people is an art. If you want to know the best way to handle them, take it from those who are emotionally intelligent.
Life can be pretty stressful at times. We have bills, appointments, overfilled schedules, and random unfortunate events which we have no control over. Then there’s the icing on the cake…toxic people.
For many of us, we deal with toxic people on a daily basis and they can be difficult to avoid. Navigating around a toxic person or their conversations is a tedious skill, but a few people have mastered it. They are known as emotionally intelligent.
Of course, it is never easy to deal with a toxic person. Their overly dramatic attitudes, lies, and manipulation tactics can drive a person insane- if they let it. Practice and patience are two very useful tools when dealing with someone you would rather avoid, but it does get easier with time.
If you want to know how to have the upper hand when dealing with a toxic person, take it from someone who has experience.
Here are 6 ways emotionally intelligent people deal with toxic people:
1. Avoid all unnecessary interactions
The most important thing you can do for yourself, is not participate in the madness. In order to do this, you have to avoid toxic people as much as possible. If you don’t have to see them, talk to them, or communicate with them in any way, then don’t. Plain and simple.
2. Set boundaries
It is essential to set boundaries. Not just for dealing with toxic people, but in order to have a healthy relationship on any level there needs to be boundaries.
Emotionally intelligent people know that it is impossible to please everyone, and that it is okay to say ‘no.’ Helping someone with an issue or a problem they are going through is one thing- getting stuck in a whirlwind of gossip and negativity is quite another.
3. Don’t take part in negativity
Negativity follows toxic people around like a storm cloud of doom. They can’t say a word without it releasing a lightning bolt of anger, hostility, jealousy, or resentment.
Toxic people will try everything to get you to join in even emotional manipulation. “What, you don’t feel sorry for me? I thought you cared.”
Emotionally intelligent people know better than to fall for this and instead of appeasing the other party, they simply smile and walk away, or let the other person know that they aren’t comfortable discussing whatever the topic (or person) of choice may be.
4. Don’t take it personal
Emotionally intelligent people know that the actions of others have nothing to do with them, personally. Most of the time, if someone acts a certain way towards you, it’s because they are projecting themselves, or more specifically, their issues.
Toxic people will try to push your buttons and get a reaction out of you, which is why it is so important to keep your emotions at bay. When they realise they are wasting their time, they will eventually give up. After all, it’s no fun to play a game you can’t win.
5. Learn from past encounters
The best way to prepare yourself for what is to come, is to learn from what has been.
Emotionally intelligent people take the experiences and altercations they have had in the past with toxic people, and use them to navigate around future conflicts.
6. Practice self-love
Working on self-love and self-care is how emotionally intelligent people stay strong. They know that part of staying mentally fit and increasing confidence is taking care of yourself, and appreciating you for who you are.
It’s not an easy task and it takes dedication, but what greater cause is there to dedicate yourself to than self-improvement?
These are the six ways emotionally intelligent people deal with toxic people. Are there any you would add to this list from your personal experience?
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Robyn Reisch
Robyn Reisch is a proud Penn State graduate who lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, son, and two dogs. She enjoys cooking, snacking, lounging, reading, gardening, and listening to country and classic rock.
