I suppose the reply is only for me to be an grownup and let the chips fall the place they might — however primarily I might quite soar into scorching lava than cope with battle or harm emotions. I do know I simply must buck up. Any recommendation?
— Caught within the Center With You and the Lava
Caught within the Center With You and the Lava: Buck up, sure. Invite all and benefit from the chip-and-lava present one of the best you’ll be able to.
However I additionally surprise: You select these large, sturdy, risky associates, and you’ve got sturdy conflict-avoidant tendencies, so, sample alert. And will or not it’s that to keep away from “harm emotions” — a.okay.a., your individual discomfort — you’re letting a few of your mates get away with straight-up unhealthy conduct? Generally what we deal with as a “sturdy character” is absolutely simply being a punk.
Not saying this can be a given, as a result of it’s additionally true that large personalities conflict generally, and it may not be something greater than that. However I did assume, “Hmm.”
Plus, if “buck up” alone have been sufficient, then it already would have labored. At minimal, it takes desirous to buck up and really bucking up. And being prepared to really feel the burn.
To: Lava: The purple flag I noticed right here was that they’d be offended with you for inviting the individual they hate. That is an inappropriate response until they’ve been critically wronged by this individual.
Nameless: True. However Lava feels “as if I’m making considered one of them mad.” That’s not the identical as truly making considered one of them mad.
So the anger could possibly be both created by pot-stirring or perceived by the individual sensitized to it. To not gaslight anyone; we’d simply have to be within the room to say with any confidence.
To Lava: I’m wondering, too, whether or not one thing in these conflicts is satisfying to you. I’m wondering what would occur in case you explored your battle avoidance extra deeply.
Questioning: Battle avoidance is at all times price a tough look, as a result of in any kind and for no matter cause, it sticks folks with residing life on different folks’s phrases, by no means their very own. Give it some thought: How are you going to stay your individual life in service of your individual targets and experiences in case you’re continuously watching others for a way they’re going to react?
Re: Battle avoidance: I completely determine with Lava. I struggled with being bullied after I was younger, in order an grownup, I discovered myself so grateful for friendships that my passivity (I believed I used to be simply easygoing) attracted others with “sturdy personalities” who additionally didn’t like my different associates. As life went on, I bought much less passive, and ultimately two of the friendships needed to finish, as a result of these associates reacted to my assertiveness with anger and verbal abuse. The various friendships I nonetheless have now are trustworthy and mutual, and my life is rather more peaceable.
Assertive: Lovely, thanks.
