We all have our own ways of moving on from an argument. While some of us like to sleep over it, others like to reach a conclusion as soon as possible and move on. Whatever your way, the important thing is to acknowledge the argument, and deal with it in a way your relationship suffers the least damage. If you’ve ever struggled to move on from an argument, here are five ways to acknowledge the hurt and guilt and get over it.
Cool Off
There is no need to rush into having that last word or apologize, till you are ready. Take your time. Cool off before you regret saying whatever comes to your mind. Take time to think things through and then address the problem. But do address it later.
Accept That It Happened
Be it an argument with a friend, a showdown with a colleague or a fight with a loved one, skipping the apology and starting over is not a good idea. Acknowledging the argument and letting the other person know that you understand where their hurt and anger is coming from goes a long way in dealing with things positively.
No Deep-Freeze Please
It’s easy to simply tune this person out till the anger goes away. Deep-freezing our emotions is a defense mechanism for dealing with hurt. But it’s not the best method. The anger or hurt only pents up inside making you bitter along the way.
Apologize
Life is not an ego game. It does not matter who is in the wrong if hurtful words were exchanged, apologize for the same first, and then come to the issue.
Work on triggers
Circle back to what triggered the argument and look at ways to completely eliminate the issue. But in the meantime, also work on the triggers that lead to the argument.
-Ainee Nizami