Who are the Difficult People in Your Life

 While anyone can push your boundaries and cause you discomfort, there are certain types of folks who tend to do so on a regular basis. We've all had some of these people in our lives. These difficult people have personality traits and behavioral characteristics that can cause you a great deal of strain...some would say they are a pain in the neck or worst. Even people you love and care about can fall into this category, unfortunately.

We all have such individuals in our lives. Sometimes you can learn to manage their problematic personalities, while other times, you may need to give them the boot. A friend once told me that it's like cutting cancer cells out of your life...you need to cut them out so you can live.

Before taking any action or making a decision regarding the place of such people in your life, you’ll first have to learn to recognize them. Keep reading below to learn about some of the most common traits of difficult people to see if you recognize any of the perpetrators within your own close circles.

 The Complainer

 Most of us encounter this type at one time or another. The complainer rarely has anything positive to say. They are constantly complaining about something. Sometimes, these complaints are things that cannot be changed, such as the weather. Often, the complainer would simply rather moan and groan than actually do the work to make changes. You can usually handle sporadic encounters with a complainer, but a person who is constantly negative around you can have adverse effects on your overall well-being. It’s possible you may even find yourself developing a similar negative mindset if you’re with this person frequently enough. It's been said that we adopt the traits of the five people we spend the most time with, so it's important to be aware of the characteristics of your five people.

 The Yeller

 Do you have someone in your life who is often angry and who takes that anger out on those around them through yelling or screaming? If so, you probably find yourself constantly on-edge around them, waiting for the next thing that will set them off. This type of person is likely emotionally abusive and is terrible for your mental health. They can damage your self-confidence and leave you feeling worthless. Emotional abuse is abuse, so be observant and intentional when you identify this trait.

 The Know-It-All

 Everyone is familiar with a know-it-all. This type of person always thinks they have the answers and is quick to offer their opinion, even when it wasn’t requested. The know-it-all can really get on your nerves. They can also cause you to feel less than if you fall prey to believing they may be correct. In reality, these people tend to be incredibly insecure and are overcompensating for how inadequate they feel they are.

 The Pessimist

 The pessimist can be a real downer. They never see the bright side and think every experience is going to turn out badly. These are the folks who will tell you they tried that before and it didn’t work, so you shouldn’t even bother making an attempt. They can kill morale and keep progress from occurring. Their negative attitude can be contagious so be careful. Being self-aware and observe your own attitude when you encounter these people.

 These are just four of the more common types of negative people who you have probably encountered in your life. The common trait these folks have is that being around them regularly makes you feel negative, sad, and disillusioned. This negative spirit can invade various aspects of your life and cause you difficulties. The important thing is to pay attention when you notice yourself constantly feeling badly around a certain person and then try to determine the cause of these negative feelings. Doing so will help you to pinpoint whether the individual is someone who is constantly disrespecting your boundaries and bringing you down. Remember, you are responsible for your own life and happiness. you don't want to allow others to poison your thoughts, mood, and life.

Once you have identified the characteristics of the difficult people in your life, you can then decide what to do about the issue. Be methodical. Take the steps to share your observations and point of view. If you want these people in your life, then be intentional...set boundaries and stick to them. It may take a bit of time, but you are responsible for teaching them how to treat you and how you will respond to their behaviors. In some cases, these behaviors are so destructive and abusive, they must be eliminated from your daily life. You choose how you want to respond and what behaviors you will allow in your life, so choose carefully.

Until next time...

Lisa

P.S. Life as we know it has been interrupted...unquestionably, these are difficult times. It’s important now, more than ever, to practice self-care, connect with a trusted accountability partner, and develop coping tools that give you the resilience that heals, provides confidence, and direction.

Private 1:1 coaching packages (6 or 12 weeks) are available from A Pilgrimage to Self...included in these private sessions are Heart-Centered Coaching Sessions, Weekly Inspirational emails, 24 Hour email reply, and exclusive access to A Pilgrimage to Self Lifestyle Coaching Membership during private coaching package sessions to move on and forward in creating an Intentional Life.