We’re entering the season of get-togethers with family, friends, and co-workers. There’s always at least one person who wants to “celebrate” by using the occasion to fight political or personal battles. All you want to do is relax and share good food, drink, and company.
Amy Keller Laird, editor-in-chief at Women’s Health Magazine, offered (December edition of the magazine) five ways to avoid conflict during holiday gatherings. I hope they make the next month or so more enjoyable for you.
- Agree to disagree. Not everything is a challenge of you personally. Walk away from the argument.
- Keep your emotions in check. As emotions rise in the other person, our own emotions rise in response. Keep yourself calm.
- Use humor. Humor (not the sarcastic or demeaning kind) helps diffuse most prickly situations.
- Just say NO. If someone asks you a personal question or tries to draw you into an uncomfortable conversation, simply tell them you don’t want to talk about it. That’s a perfectly okay thing to say.
- Remember what’s important, why you’re at the gathering to begin with. Keep in mind what you want out of being where you are. Make HAPPY memories for yourself and your kids.
Yes, these are all steps that depend on you. But isn’t it nice that you actually do have the power to control the situation?
By the way, I think that these five suggestions are just as good for non-holidays too.