Judgmental people have certain traits you will quickly notice if you know what to look for. The first thing you should do is understand what judgmental really means. Someone who is judgmental will make hurtful comments about you and others based on their thoughts.
They judge you and everything you do without taking the time to know your situation. People tend to judge others because of their fears and how they view themselves. Learning how and why judgmental people act the way they do can help you be more patient with them. You will learn how to deal with judgmental people with empathy.
8 Smart Ways to Deal With Judgmental People
1. Spot the Judgmental People
One of the ways you can deal with judgmental people is to know their traits. Learning how to spot judgmental people can save you from unnecessary anxiety and pain. Not only will it help you, but it can also help the people around you maintain their sanity. So how do you know if someone is judgmental? Well, here are a few tips:
If there is one thing judgmental people have in common, it’s the fact that they love to share their opinions about other people. If someone you know tends to point out the negatives about other people too often, they might be judgmental.
You will also notice that judgmental people speak with a tone that judges others. Listen carefully, and you will notice their remarks are most times sarcastic, condescending, or full of criticism. Judgmental people also have a limited view of how life should be.
They judge others when they feel people are not living up to their standards or beliefs. Once you know these signs, you will have an easy time dealing with judgmental people around you. Recognizing judgmental words and actions will allow you to brace yourself when confronted with them and avoid lowering your self-esteem.
Read Also: How to Be Vulnerable and In Tune with Yourself – 7 Strategies
2. Stay Calm
Judgmental people can get the best of anyone when they start criticizing you or your life. However, the way you receive their words can determine how the conversation will go. Below are ways you can stay calm when dealing with judgmental people.
Take a deep breath. When you feel your blood beginning to boil because of something someone said about you, take a deep breath.
Remind yourself that the judgment says more about them than it does about you. Reminding yourself of this the next time someone tries to judge you will help you remain calm when dealing with them.
Read Also: 9 Simple Ways to Relax After Work
3. Practice Self-Confidence
Another sure way to deal with judgmental people is by building your self-confidence. You get to decide how you perceive yourself, and by doing this, you can control how you allow others to treat you. Build your self-confidence by first knowing your strengths. Take a few minutes to list some of the things that make you unique.
Practicing self-love is one of the best ways to drown out the noise from judgmental people. Below are ways you can build your self-confidence:
- Know your strengths
- Set small goals for yourself
- Practice positive self-talk
- Surround yourself with positive people
Knowing your strengths will help you appreciate yourself more and, as a result, change how you view yourself.
Read Also: 9 Smart Strategies to Build Confidence and Overcome Insecurities
4. Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries around what you will and won’t accept from others is another way to deal with judgmental people. You deserve to be around people who respect you and your decisions. Allow no one to tear you down with their judgments.
First, identify the things you’re willing to accept criticism about. Are they comments about your parenting, relationships, or how you choose to live your life? After identifying your weak points, think about how you will handle someone judging you. Next time someone jumps all over you with their judgment, stand your ground.
Say something like, “I hear you, but I can take care of myself.” Also, learn how to say no. If you have that one friend who likes to bring drama to every function you attend, it’s time to minimize the time you spend with them.
Judgmental people will only drain you if you allow them to. If saying no to spending time with them isn’t possible, avoid topics that allow them to open their mouths.
Read Also: 6 Reasons Why Setting Boundaries is Important in Your Relationships
5. Empathize With Them
Judgmental people can make you feel all sorts of emotions. Instead of allowing their judgment to get to you, empathize with them. Empathizing with someone will allow you to see things from their perspective and, in return, change your view.
Ask yourself why someone would say or do something like that. Try to understand their background. What life experiences have they been through? Could it be that they have had a tough life, and that is why they fear anyone who is living their best life? Understanding their situation will allow you to see their actions through a lens of compassion.
6. Talk to Your Friends
Let’s face it—dealing with judgmental people can be stressful. One of the easiest ways to deal with judgmental people is by talking to your friends. Friends are the family you get to choose, and they play an important role in your life.
Always surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself. If you allow yourself to be around negative people, that’s exactly what you will attract. Below are ways talking to your friends can help you deal with judgmental people.
Talk to your friends. Let them know how you feel; they might just surprise you with the advice they give you. Speaking out your frustrations can be very therapeutic. You will feel a lot better after you vent.
Trust me, building a trustworthy circle of friends is key. Trust is important when building a support system, and no one else will know how to comfort you like your friends.
7. Focus on the Positive
Nothing is worse than being around negative people. They have a way of bringing you down whether you like it or not. The best way to deal with negativity is by blocking it out. How do you do that? Focus on the positive things in your life.
Start by writing down three things you’re grateful for each day. Focusing on the positive will cause you to attract positive people.
Surround yourself with people who support you. Whether it’s friends or family, being around positive people will help you build your self-esteem.
When you’re around positive people, you’re more likely to meet people who value your worth. Try volunteering at a local nonprofit. Not only will you meet people with similar interests as you, but you will also be helping others.
8. Practice Assertive Communication
Lastly, when dealing with judgmental people, practice assertive communication. Assertive communication will allow you to speak your peace without offending the other person.
Assertive communication will enable you to let others know how you feel when judgment is being thrown around. Below are ways to practice assertive communication:
- State your opinions and feelings. Use “I” statements to describe how you feel about the situation.
- Keep your tone even
- Maintain eye contact and good body language
- Speak without yelling
Using “I” statements instead of “you” allows the other person to not feel attacked, which could cause them to defend themselves.
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