Staying Positive Around Negative People
One Idea: You Can Be Compassionate Without Carrying Other People’s Chaos
Let’s be real — some days it feels like negativity is everywhere. Maybe a friend is constantly venting, your coworkers love to complain, or your family is once again in the middle of some drama you didn’t ask for but somehow got a front-row seat to.
Here’s the truth: being a good person doesn’t mean being a sponge for everyone else’s stress. You can care without carrying. You can listen without absorbing. Protecting your peace doesn’t make you selfish — it makes you emotionally responsible.
Positivity isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about choosing what energy you hold onto and what you gently let pass through. This is key to staying positive around negative people.
One Question: Who’s Taking Up More Space in Your Head — Them or You?
When your thoughts are spinning after a heavy conversation or a toxic interaction, ask yourself: Is this mine to hold? Or am I replaying someone else’s problems on a loop?
Sometimes we give more mental airtime to people who drain us than to the thoughts, goals, and feelings that actually belong to us.
It’s okay to set boundaries — even silent ones. You can love people and still put limits on how much of your headspace they rent.
One Exercise: Create a Mental Reset Ritual
After a conversation or situation that leaves you feeling heavy, give yourself a mini reset. Try this:
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Name what you’re feeling. (“I feel drained/frustrated/anxious.” Naming it helps release it.)
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Say this out loud (or silently): “This is not mine to carry.”
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Do a quick 5-minute refresh — step outside, stretch, take a few deep breaths, or play a song that lifts you up.
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Then do one small thing just for you — a cup of tea, a quick journal entry, a walk, a funny video. Anything that reminds you: you’re allowed to feel good.
Repeat as often as needed.
You don’t need to fix everyone’s mess. You just need to keep your peace while the world keeps spinning. And some days, that’s the most powerful thing you can do.
How do you reset when the people around you are draining? I’d love to hear what works for you.