How to Deal With Hurt Feelings

Harboring hurt feelings can be emotionally detrimental. This is especially true if we take offenses personally. We need to learn to deal with hurt feelings to be at peace with ourselves.

Instructions

1. Stay calm when your feelings are hurt and allow time for yourself to completely cool off.

2. Think before you speak, or you may lash out with words that you can't retract and regret the consequences.

3. Prevent misjudging by not presuming the other person's intention. You may pass judgment incorrectly and make the situation worse. Ask yourself if the person's intent was deliberate or if it's unintentional.

4. Walk away from situations that may cause you to retaliate or seek revenge.

5. Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes and understand why he acted the way he did. It's a lot easier to forgive when you can understand the reason for someone's behavior.

6. Approach the person that offended you and express to her that she hurt your feelings by her behavior, actions or words. It's healthier to resolve the concern than to let it sit and debilitate you. However, be careful how you phrase what you say so that you do not appear to be antagonistic.

7. Choose to be not offended and avoid self-pity; you are only hurting yourself.

8. Forgive, overcome oversensitivity and seek to be at peace with yourself.

9. Pray for the ability to let go of hurt feelings.