I know it can be pretty hard to learn how to ignore something or even someone who’s been bothering you, especially if they play an important part in your life. Ignoring something or someone is never easy, but with a bit of practice and with a lot of patience, you’ll be able to achieve this goal and not let it affect you (especially emotionally). In order to change something, you should start with changing yourself first and the way you look at things. I really love Ram Mohan’s advice who said: “When you end up in a fight with someone, make sure you don’t carry the feeling next day because if you do so, you allow a part of yourself to remember ignoring and hating someone unimportant each time you wake up.”. Here are a few, in my opinion, very helpful tips on how to ignore something that is bothering you:
1. Realize Why That Thing Bothers You
The first thing you should do if you want to learn how to ignore something that is bothering you is to realize why exactly that thing bothers you in the first place. Could it be your fault? Are you over-reacting or is that thing (or even person) really getting on your nerves? Could you do anything else than ignoring it in order to feel happy? Try to understand the real reasons for not liking a situation, a thing or a person before you decide you need to ignore it to get on with your life.
2. You Can Only Change Yourself
No matter how hard you may try to change things around you, I must tell you that you will never succeed because you can only change yourself. Just like Celestine Chua, the Founder of Personal Excellence, said: “The best way to address the situation is to change how you perceive it and how you react to it. By changing that, everything else will subsequently change as well.”
3. Set Clear Boundaries
Before you decide to ignore something or someone you should set some clear boundaries first, so you will know what you can tolerate and what you can’t. This way, you’ll know what kind of behaviors you expect from others or what situations or things really get on your nerves. It’s natural to protect your personal space and in order to do it; you should first draw some boundaries, even if you do it just mentally. Don’t allow others to step all over you and do not tolerate things that you don’t agree with and that affect you and your well-being.
4. Realize That Everything and Everyone in This World is Different
Realize that everything and everyone in this world is different and that it is not necessarily a bad thing. You might see things in a certain way and others might not agree with you, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t like you or that they want to hurt you. Learn to move on and cherish the difference between each individual because that difference is what makes us so unique.
5. Resolve That Issue
In order to be able to ignore something, you must first try to resolve that issue. It is pointless to try to simply erase a problem without first trying to solve it. If you don’t do something about it, it will come back to haunt you later and you’ll never get rid of those unpleasant feelings.
6. Find the Aspects That You like about That Thing/ Person
If you can’t just ignore a thing, a situation or a person because they play an important part in your life, remember the aspects you love about them. Focus on the positive things and simply ignore the negative ones! I know this may seem hard to achieve sometimes, but with a bit of practice, you’ll overcome every difficulty and you won’t let anything bother you or interfere with your happiness.
7. Simply Ignore Them
In time, you will learn to just ignore the things or people who really get on your nerves and you’ll realize that it doesn’t even require that much effort on your behalf. Try to focus your attention on something else and you’ll surely forget all about that thing that’s been causing you problems. Take your mind of the things that bother you by trying to engage yourself in other pleasant activities that will make you feel good.
It can be pretty hard sometimes to ignore a situation, a thing or a person who is constantly annoying you, but with a bit of effort and with a lot of patience, you won’t let it get in the way of your happiness. Do you know any other tips on how to ignore something that it’s bothering you? Please share your suggestions with us in the comments section!
Sources:
wikihow.com
answers.yahoo.com
lifehack.org
goodreads.com
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I stop paying attention to things that upset me?
- Oh, I've been there! First, try to divert your mind. Do something you really enjoy. Music, games, or chatting with a friend can be great distractions.
- What's the best way to ignore someone who's bothering me at school?
- Totally get it. School can be tough! Try to stay close to your friends and keep busy with activities. If it gets too much, tell a teacher or counselor. They're there to help.
- How do I learn to not let things bother me so much?
- Easier said than done, right? Start small. Practice mindfulness or meditation. It helps you stay calm and focus on the present moment.
- Should I ignore issues or confront them?
- That's a tricky one! Sometimes it’s healthier to confront things rather than ignore them. It really depends on the situation. If it's something minor, maybe let it go. For bigger issues, talking it out might be the better option.
- How do I deal with life’s little annoyances?
- Life is full of them! Try to keep a positive outlook. Remind yourself that these little things aren't worth your peace of mind. Deep breaths and a bit of humor can go a long way.