11 Quotes to Remember When Faced with Toxic People

We all have relationships with difficult people. By difficult, I mean people who are in some way toxic: self-centered, arrogant, ignorant, judgemental, needy, play the role of the consummate victim, inconsiderate, bossy, dishonest, or insert any number of negative personality traits here, or heaven forbid, a combination of them all. Of course you know at least one. Although a lot of people advise us to cut negative people from our lives, it’s not often feasible or realistic. Sometimes the most we can do is learn how to deal with challenging people as best we can and try to protect ourselves in the process.

I’ve been dealing with one difficult person in particular for a long time. I still experience anxiety, anger, frustration, and distress as a result of this relationship. For the record, I’m not passive. I have tried defending myself and speaking up when I feel I’ve been wronged. I’ve learned though that when it comes to certain people, this gets me nowhere. My reaction, no matter how practiced or collected, only makes things worse. That’s because problem people love a reaction and don’t respond to reason. Never once have I succeeded with words when it comes to these people in my life. All we can do when it comes to people like this is try to enforce healthy boundaries and remember that their negativity has nothing to do with us.

This is hard! When someone makes accusations about me or my life, or directs their anger and frustration at me, it is really hard to remember that it has nothing to do with me. That’s when I turn to these quotes to help me remember.

You may not be able to walk away forever, but you certainly can walk away from the situation and the person. Talk to other people, try to avoid being alone with them, AVOID them as best you can.
We may not be able to walk away forever, but we can certainly take a break. Excuse yourself, talk to other people, try to avoid being alone with difficult people, AVOID them as best you can.

 

When you say nothing, you can't be misquoted or misunderstood. You also don't have to anxiously await a response. Saying nothing shuts things down.
When we say nothing, we can’t be misquoted or misunderstood. We also don’t have to anxiously await a response. Saying nothing shuts communication down and sometimes that is the best possible thing.

 

I know firsthand how true this is! When I was miserable, I made everyone around me miserable. When someone isn't happy with you and you can think of nothing you've done to deserve it, try to remember they're just miserable. It's not about you.
I know firsthand how true this is! When I was miserable, I made everyone around me miserable. When someone isn’t happy with you and you can think of nothing you’ve done to deserve it, try to remember they’re just miserable. It’s not about you.

 

Someone who respects you respects your boundaries. Someone who reacts this way to them doesn't love you, no matter how much they say they do.
Someone who respects you respects your boundaries, plain and simple.

 

Why work so hard to please someone when what you do never seems to be enough. What does this person add to your life other than frustration with their bottomless pit of need? Is it worth it?
Why work so hard to please someone when whatever you do never seems to be enough. What does this person add to your life other than frustration with their bottomless pit of need? Is it worth it?

 

I interpret this as "don't stoop to their level." Don't sacrifice your integrity and intelligence. Be the smarter one in the room.
I interpret this as “don’t stoop to their level.” Don’t sacrifice your integrity and intelligence. Be the smarter one in the room.

 

The less we respond
So true. Because the less you respond, the less you will be in contact with them.

 

What people say
We are all mirrors for other people. We dislike in others what we dislike in ourselves, but many people lack enough self-awareness to understand that.

 

Rudeness
Bullies bully because they don’t know how else to be strong.

 

Ruiz
Don’t allow yourself to be hurt as a result of the stories in other peoples’ heads.

 

Reaction
Reactions are like oxygen. Everything burns out without them.

 

Bookmark these quotes or print them out. Let them help to remind you the next time you are faced with a difficult person that their behavior is not to be taken personally.

11 quotes to remember when faced with toxic people
11 quotes to remember when faced with toxic people.

Save

What do you think?