People who are addicted to drugs and alcohol have been described as “childish, emotionally sensitive, and grandiose” because of fear. When you feel backed into a corner by others, you may find you want to retaliate either by lashing out, taking things way too personal, or a combination of both. The question is: Do you know what happens when you start taking things personally? Although you believe you have the right to feel this way, take a look at the aftermath of consistently taking things too personal so you might change your mind.
You make others walk around on eggshells
Taking things too personal can lead others to believe you think you are a victim. Putting this perception out, people will do their best to try not to rock the boat with you and start acting disingenuine towards you. Instead of making others walk around on eggshells start making changes in your mentality. Your past will often dictate how you will act in the present. If you were in relationships that made you feel unworthy, you could be lashing out to those who are in your life now because you are worried about what others think of you.
You are not seeing the truth of the situation
You may hear things differently than they were intended to be heard when you take things too personally. Drug and alcohol addiction can take a toll on a person’s self-esteem because of the shame and guilt that comes along with it. The actions you were taking with your substance abuse can make you inwardly self-conscious which causes you to automatically think the worst about yourself. This is when you could start jumping to conclusions of misinterpreting what someone is really trying to say to you. Try to start pausing before you react. If something hurts your feelings, get a second opinion about what you should do. Write down the statement, call your sponsor, and process the situation. Not only will you start learning about why you take things so personally, but you stop pointing fingers at others to give them the benefit of the doubt before you proceed into another precarious interaction.
When you are taking things personally, you are focusing on the wrong aspects of the conversation and giving others power over you. Construct your painful experiences as learning lessons to be different moving forward. You will find that you are stronger by letting go to make room for the things that really matter.
Offering a full range of recovery and mental health services, Valiant Living offers “Expanded Recovery” to enrich our clients’ lives in mind, body, and spirit. Through evidence-based therapy options and the endless adventure of Colorado, Valiant fosters connection, encouraging clients to get connected to themselves, their peers, their families, and their higher power. With the power of recovery, clients are restored to full health and experience life-changing healing. Call us today for more information: 303-536-5463
