How To Deal With Negative People and Shut Them Down?

I love her, but she completely drains me off! Every time we catch up, I know what I am in for: an hour-long rant about everything unfair, unjust, and miserable. Our conversation often starts with whining and ends only with cribbing. Her negativity has now started to bother me. 

Speaking of another friend, Carla, she had been in a relationship with a negative person for months. Every time we meet, Carla vents about her partner’s constant complaints and pessimistic attitude. I know how toxic her relationship is, and she wants help.

Indeed, no one likes negativity. Constant negativity in a relationship, be it a marriage, work, friendship, or partnership, can damage your self-respect, well-being, happiness, and peace of mind. 

Negative people tend to focus on the downside of situations and often express pessimism, criticism, and complaints. This can be draining and exhausting for others around them, who may feel overwhelmed or discouraged by their negativity. This is not it. Negative people may project their own insecurities and fears onto others, leading to further tension and discomfort. People generally prefer to be around others who are positive, supportive, and uplifting, as these qualities promote a sense of hope, motivation, and inspiration. 

Therefore, it is imperative to shut down a negative person if you want to lead a peaceful life. I have done the same, cut off all the toxic people from my life, and reclaimed my life. 

So, are you surrounded by pessimists? Are you stuck with a negative person or negative friends? Are you dealing with a hostile work environment or negative co-workers? 

Don’t worry; we can turn things around! 

Let us now learn how to deal with negative people and handle a relationship with a negative person while maintaining positivity and sanity with some effective strategies and tips.

Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness, care, and concern, especially if you can tell that their bad behavior results from an unresolved conflict or trauma. You can understand they have developed a skeptical outlook because of adverse life situations and bad experiences. You really want to help them. But sometimes, a person becomes so pessimistic that they are beyond repair or help. While helping people come out of their negativity, you start to lose your own sanity. 

So it is advisable to keep a close watch on your relationship with a negative person, as it can start affecting you. While it is good to be compassionate and sympathetic, it is equally important to guard your self-respect first. 

I understand if you are in a relationship with a negative person and want to fix it. But it would be best to know that you are not a rehabilitation center for badly raised men or women. It is not your job to fix or nanny them. You always wanted a friend, partner, and companion, not a lifelong project. 

All the negative people in your life have one thing in common: unlimited unconstructive energy that affects everyone around them. And you do not want to be played around anymore.

Being around negative people can be incredibly draining, and it’s not uncommon to feel frustrated and angry as a result. Personally, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with negative people, and it’s safe to say that it can be extremely infuriating.

For starters, negativity is contagious. It’s hard to stay positive when those around you constantly complain, criticize, and be pessimistic. I’ve noticed that after spending time with negative people, my mood takes a dip, and I start to see the world in a more negative light. This can be especially frustrating when you’re trying to focus on your own goals and aspirations.

Another issue with negative people is that they often lack the ability to see the good in any situation. No matter how positive or optimistic you try to be, they always manage to bring you down. It can feel like you’re constantly battling their negativity and trying to convince them to see the brighter side of things. This can be a tiring and frustrating process, especially when you start to feel like you’re not making any progress.

What’s more, negative people tend to be judgmental and critical of others. They often project their own insecurities and frustrations onto those around them, which can lead to a toxic and unhealthy environment. This type of behavior is not only frustrating but also unfair and hurtful to those on the receiving end.

Overall, it’s essential to limit your exposure to negative people as much as possible. Surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who will lift you up and encourage you to be the best version of yourself. Remember that your own well-being and happiness are essential, and it’s okay to prioritize them over others who are not contributing positively to your life.

In the past, I have been surrounded by negative people in life. They sucked my positive energy like vampires until I decided it was enough. I often wondered how to deal with negative people until I was sure I couldn’t tackle their constant negativity. So, I decided to let them go or limit my interaction to a bare minimum.

Let’s see how to deal with negative people and shut them down!

Read Also: 6 Types of Toxic People to Avoid!

How to Deal with Negative People?

So, how to deal with negative people? Here is what worked for me, and that will surely help you too.

1. Discard them

Many people are beyond repair. They are too scarred, venomous, and critical to be fixed. And even if you want to fix them, the cost seems quite unreasonable. In such a case, it is better to let such people go. Retaining them would mean denting your self-esteem, puncturing your self-respect, and ripping yourself of happiness and peace of mind. It might hurt you initially, but soon you will feel free and more peaceful. A complete detox from negative personalities is the only answer in some cases.

Discarding negative people from your life is not always easy, but it is necessary for your mental and emotional well-being.

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2. Detach yourself

When a person’s negative energy brings you down, and you find yourself surrounded by pessimism, it makes you vulnerable too. 

Negative people can influence your emotions and mindset, making you feel more negative and pessimistic. This is because negativity can be contagious, and the attitudes and behaviors of those around us can have a powerful impact on our own mood and outlook.

When you spend time around negative people, you may start to absorb their negative energy and adopt their negative mindset. They may constantly complain, criticize, and focus on the problems rather than the solutions. This can wear you down and make it harder to maintain a positive outlook.

Additionally, negative people may project their own insecurities and frustrations onto those around them, leading to a toxic and unhealthy environment. They may be judgmental and critical of others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

In such a scenario, it is advisable to detach yourself from such people. Do not let constant negativity in a relationship adversely affect your state of being. You are not responsible for their feelings; they should deal with them alone. In fact, you should limit your time with them and focus on positive people in life. 

Recommended Read: 5 Tips For Choosing Your Friends Wisely & Seeking Meaningful Relationships!

3. Speak up your mind

Do not let negative people bore, downgrade, belittle, or bug you with their never-ending chores. While sometimes it is impossible to avoid them, it is essential to speak your mind when the time demands. But respond calmly. 

One way to shut down a negative person is to let them know that there is a limit to everything and you will not take it further. You should never pretend their behaviour is acceptable. Instead, tell them that their negativity is abysmal. 

4. Question yourself

Take some time off and reflect. Be honest and ask why you are even dealing with such a skeptical person. Is it about fulfilling your desire to be needed? Does it make you feel important? Is that person someone you can’t avoid? Or is it about some vested interest of yours?

Asking such questions will expose some unexplored aspects of your personality and make you respond better. It will also help you control the way you behave. You can decide whether to discard them or limit your exposure to them. Seeking clarity will help you devise a clear strategy for dealing with negative people.

So if you are wondering how to shut down a negative person, question yourself first. The answer lies within.

5. Maintain a balance

Yes, you love your partner or special friend and want to help them eliminate their negativity. You want to see them happy. But the best you can do is accept them and patiently be with them while guarding your own interest. 

Maintaining a balance with a negative person can be challenging, but it is possible with some effort and strategies. Here are some tips on how to maintain a balance with a negative person:

1. Set boundaries: It is important to set boundaries with negative people to protect your own well-being. This could mean limiting your interactions with them or avoiding certain topics that tend to trigger their negativity.
2. Don’t engage in their negativity: When a negative person starts to complain, criticize or be pessimistic, try not to engage in their negativity. Instead, listen patiently and empathize with their concerns, but don’t fuel their negativity with your own complaints.
3. Offer support: Negative people may be going through a tough time or struggling with their own issues. Offer your support and encouragement, and try to influence their lives positively.
4. Stay positive: Maintaining a positive attitude can help you combat the negativity of those around you. Focus on the good in any situation and practice gratitude for the positive things in your life.

Being with people with a pessimistic outlook doesn’t mean taking it all. But it means you let them be and intervene only when required. If you decide to retain a few people despite their negativity, it is completely fine. But make sure to take care of yourself first.

My life experience has taught me that you can’t change the world. But you can make it a better place by being self-aware and by prioritizing yourself first. It means you need to protect your positive space and be empathetic. Identify your emotions and people who matter to you. If they are worth holding onto, help them. And if they are too lethal to hold on to, let them go. In any case, stay calm, shield your positive energy, and let not any form of negativity affect you. 

How to deal with negative people at work?

Negative people are everywhere, even at your workplace. And sometimes, it is not possible to bypass a negative team member in the workplace. So how to deal with negative people at work? 

Dealing with negative co-workers requires tact and professionalism. You can choose to stay away from them or limit your exposure to them, but you must be mindful of these negative employees. If you do not use tact when dealing with negative co-workers, you risk offending them, which is not an ideal situation in the workplace.

Dealing with negative people often requires a lot of prudence, diplomacy, and courage. You can avoid them and limit your interaction to a bare minimum while dealing with them and getting your job done. At other times, you can take steps toward working with them to attend to their frustrations and resolve conflicts or dilemmas that are the leading cause of their negativity. 

You can even let them confide in you so that you can assure them of your support. Alternatively, you can help them figure out their dreams and aspirations and lift them up. This is the best way to deal with a negative co-worker. 

If you want to read more: Click here -> How to deal with negative people at work.

How to shut down a negative person? 

It is never fun to be around negative people at work or in your daily life. And it can be tough to shut down a negative person. But you can tactfully shut them down without offending them by limiting the time you spend with them or telling them they need to see the other, more positive side. 

You can tell them that you understand their situation and mindset, but there is a better way of perceiving things in a positive light. One thing that really shuts down negative people is compassion and empathy. When you are able to empathize with them and understand the source of their negativity, you can be their support system and lift them up. Once you work with them for their cause and provide the resources they need to overcome their negativity, you lay the necessary grounds to turn positive. And this can certainly shut down their negativity. 

The other thing you can do is to help them figure out their purpose or aspirations and help them achieve them. It is impossible to work towards their goals and be negative towards someone helping them. And if all these things don’t work, stop dealing with them or limit your interaction to the bare minimum.

To sum up, shutting down a negative person is not always the best approach, as it can escalate the situation and create more conflict. However, if a negative person is consistently draining your energy and causing you stress, here are some tips on how to handle the situation:

1. Acknowledge their feelings: Validate the negative person’s feelings by acknowledging their concerns are valid. Let them know that you understand how they feel.
2. Redirect the conversation: When the negative person starts to complain or criticize, try redirecting the conversation to a more positive topic. For example, you could ask them about something positive that has happened recently or steer the conversation toward a shared interest.
3. Set boundaries: It is important to set boundaries with negative people to protect your own well-being. Let them know their behavior is unacceptable and you will not tolerate constant negativity. Be assertive but respectful when setting boundaries.
4. Use humor: Humor can be a powerful tool for diffusing tension and breaking negative patterns. Try to find the humor in the situation and use it to lighten the mood.
5. Exit the conversation: If the negative person is not receptive to your efforts to redirect the conversation or set boundaries, it may be best to exit the conversation altogether. Politely excuse yourself and remove yourself from the situation.

Remember, you cannot control other people’s behavior, but you can control your own reactions. By implementing these strategies, you can manage the situation with a negative person while protecting your own well-being.

If you find this article meaningful, please share it with someone who is dealing with negativity. 

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