How can one stop being overly sensitive in terms of being offended by everything?

Question

I am just wondering.
What are some ways to eliminate the act of being overly easily offended by everything?
It seems quite impossible to do without any help.

Answer 1

Consider the source.

Who is it that's telling you this? WHY is what THEY say hurtful? Because its true? Or because others hear it out loud? Because they are popular people and it hurts for them to say it because you like them? Find out why it bothers you, you may find out you really don't care what THEY think. You just might be used to feeling bad. Some people are adrenaline addicts, some have other addictions. Yes, we can become addicted to certain emotions, even negative ones. Figure out what's going on when you feel that way. What were you doing to make them say that. Did they "warn you" not to keep doing something and you ignored them? If so, stop next time or move somewhere quieter. Also, you could try telling them that their criticism hurts.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It is something many would consider difficult in today's mentally weak society aka the age of political correctness. you don't need a shrink or a group to overcome this ailment of the mind, just some restructuring in thinking and outlook.
Truth is, no one can offend you except you. You place the value on what others say. You empower others through your personal validation of what they say. Why be concerned with what others say, especially if you do not know them or care to know them.
You must choose not to be offended, this can be difficult, but learned. It use to be taught at home and was a part of growing up, I still remember as a young child learning to apply the simple thought of sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. That idea went away in the 80s as well as growing up mentally some part due to both parents working and being self centered thus not properly teaching their children, and now those kids are parents and teaching even less, having become even more selfish than their parents and also in part to the growth in behavioral psychologists who have a degree in say child psychology but have never had children thus NO experience dealing with them, lawyers generating income through liberal interpretations of law (makes it easier to sue people) and the constant degradation of societal values. Dont feed the monkey, just return to the basics of growing up, empower only who you want and CHOSE to not be bothered with those who are imbecilic or irrelevent to YOU

Answer 3

I used to be very sensitive and would take offense at anything. Then I attended a workshop about friendship and one thing I learned was not to take anything personally. Nothing is ever about you. That changed my entire perspective in life and I've become a happier person as a result.
Also check out this book called the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. He talks about why we always take offense and what we should do so we don't take things personally.

Answer 4

Nothing wrong with being sensitive....
But if you are easily offended,
you just need a confidence boost.
Maybe everybody is that way,
you're just the only honest one.
Start by doing things that make you
feel good about you.
Don't give any power to those who
try to bring you down. It is after all
just another opinion. Yours matters
the most. Right?? Good Luck

Answer 5

The key to not being offended is understanding the motives behind someone's words and not the words themselves! Don't assume the worst, and when you find yourself feeling offended, go through possible explanations-- this person probably did not mean to offend you; you would know if they did. Anger is an impulsive action-- count to ten before retorting and usually your common sense and rational thinking will kick in.

Answer 6

One of my favorite books is called "The Four Agreements." One of the agreements is to not take things personally as everything anyone does is based on their own experiences.

The book is an easy read and available at most book stores. Give it a read, I know after I did I felt a tremendous surge of relief. Hope you will too.

Peace.

Answer 7

Weigh it. Look at the big picture of life and think does this really need all this energy from me? Whether the energy is negative or positive think about it. Man it takes allot of energy and more muscle to frown and be mad. Although sometimes there are legitimate times that you should be offended.

Answer 8

I know this is difficult, especially when there are some hateful and unpleasant people out there. What you need to do is become comfortable with who you are as a person. Once you are comfortable with yourself, others comments will just roll off your back. It might take a while, but you can do it. I know I'm still trying.

Answer 9

these are the type of people who are oppressed or who have inferior complex they feel insecured over every thing so even good things make them feel bad for they are not used to some one praising them or cheering them up they are generally abused by their own spouse or parents and ragged by society they make themselves being impossible
to over come this they need to develop confidence or a friend who can assure them repeatedly that they r good and they can do things better no doubt it takes long time to take them out of that shell but it is possible to do it

Answer 10

You first need to decide what the line is. At what point should you be offended. (I tend to look at intent. If someone's got good or neutral intentions, I don't get offended as such, but if they're using inappropriate language I'll politely correct them).

That said, I don't think enough people are getting angry.
"I hate straight people who can't listen to queer anger without saying "hey, all straight people aren't like that. I'm straight too, you know," as if their egos don't get enough stroking or protection in this arrogant, heterosexist world. Why must we take care of them, in the midst of our just anger brought on by their ****** up society?! Why add the reassurance of "Of course, I don't mean you. You don't act that way." Let them figure out for themselves whether they deserve to be included in our anger.

But of course that would mean listening to our anger, which they almost never do. They deflect it, by saying "I'm not like that" or "now look who's generalizing" or "You'll catch more flies with honey ... " or "If you focus on the negative you just give out more power" or "you're not the only one in the world who's suffering." They say "Don't yell at me, I'm on your side" or "I think you're overreacting" or "Boy, you're bitter."


- Let Yourself Be Angry

They've taught us that good queers don't get mad. They've taught us so well that we not only hide our anger from them, we hide it from each other. We even hide it from ourselves. [...]They bash us and stab us and shoot us and bomb us in ever increasing numbers and still we freak out when angry queers carry banners or signs that say Bash Back."