A moment of calm
Hold Your Peace
For the hard moments with difficult people. Take a breath here before you answer, and keep your calm and your dignity.
Someone has hurt or angered you, and part of you wants to answer sharply. Pause here for a moment first. What you do in the next minute is yours to choose.
Their behaviour speaks about them, not about your worth.
1 / Pause
Breathe first
Take three slow breaths. Nothing has to be decided in this second, and the urge to react will pass.
2 / Choose
Pick your response
Say nothing now, answer later when you are calm, give one short and dignified line, or simply step away. Each one keeps your dignity.
3 / Protect
Keep your peace
Their mood is not yours to carry. Set it down, talk to someone you trust, and let the feeling move through you.
When it is not okay
Name it, and know what to say
Some people are hard to deal with. Some behaviour simply isn't okay. Putting a name to it is the first step, so here are a few calm, steady things you can say.
They raise their voice
"I want to hear you, but not like this. Let's talk when we're both calm."
They belittle you in front of others
"That's not an okay way to talk to me."
They blame you for their mood
"Your feelings are yours. I can't carry them for you."
They push past a limit you set
"My answer is still no. I don't need to explain it again."
The silent treatment
"I'm here when you're ready to talk. I'll get on with my day until then."
They twist your words
"That's not what I said, and I'm not going to argue about it."
Choose what you need
Come back to calm
Pick whatever fits this moment. Do one, then take another if you like.
Sometimes you just want to break something. Find a rage room near you
If something in your life keeps hurting you, you don't have to carry it alone. Talking to a professional you trust helps more than any page can. Find someone to talk to
Take what steadies you, and leave the rest. You are still the calm, capable person you were this morning.
Breathe with the circle. Tap Close when you are ready.