We all have difficult people in our lives. Some of these people we may choose to no longer have any relationship with. However, there are some people that we may not be ready or be able to cut out of our lives. For instance, a boss or family member may be irritating, but they will need to stay as someone that we are in contact with.

So, once you have decided that you cannot remove an irritating person from your life, or you are not ready to, the question then becomes how to deal with them in a way that is not wounding or damaging to you. You may need to set boundaries of how long you spend time with them or how you spend time with them. For example, you could say that you are meeting them for lunch. Once lunch is over, you go your separate ways. You do not need to plan to spend a whole day together. Or you can set a boundary of not being willing to talk about certain topics. Once those topics come up, you can remind the person that you will not be talking about that. Or you can remove yourself from the situation. Saying that you need to go to the bathroom is always a good excuse. Or you can immediately introduce a different topic and distract them.

One of the most important things that you can do needs to be done prior to the meeting. Remind yourself that this person only has as much power as you give them. And you do not need to give them any! You can show up knowing that their words or opinions do not have to impact you. That your view of yourself is the most important.

Never ever forget to take care of yourself, this translates to your thinking well of yourself!! Which is so very important!