reactionary?

I’ve been working really hard not to react–to people, to comments, to situations that make me feel like I’m swimming upstream when I do react. I know what they look like, as I always have. There are those who like to challenge, to confront, to respond to everything with angst, or a holier-than-thou attitude, who don’t believe we can ever agree to disagree, and in this age of social media it’s easier than ever for them to spew their venom. Well, I’m staying away from vipers these days.

It’s hard, too, when in most other areas of life these people are friends and we have wonderful conversations. It seems like, though, when it comes to certain topics (the usual ones, like religion, politics, etc.) they tend to have strong opinions and think everyone else is wrong, whether or not they’ve done research on what they’re discussing. I know I’m not going to change their opinions, and I don’t try, but they feel like their mission in life is to change mine. They won’t take no for an answer.

So I unfollow them for a while, or I hide their posts, or I just slide down the list until I find another funny meme, or cat photos, or anything that just makes me feel good, because, why should I submit myself to an attack? I used to respond. Sometimes I still have to pull myself back from reacting because I know it will go nowhere, but it can be really difficult at times. They provoke, and provoke, and I just need more positivity in my life, especially now.

Life’s too short.