Negative people are mostly pessimistic because they have been disappointed so often that they have zero expectations to avoid being let down again. They also tend to be overly critical of people who choose to be optimistic.
Here are some ways to deal with or battle negativity and negative people:
1. Don’t take it personally
You can either ignore negative people or block them out. Remind yourself that you are the only one responsible for how you feel. Negative people aren’t just negative with you, they are also negative with others and most of all, themselves. Don’t engage them; it only incites them further. Most importantly, avoid getting into arguments with them. They never run out of pessimistic ideals and you will only get sucked in the kind of energy you don’t need.
2. Spend less time with/around them
Energy is contagious, whether positive or negative. When you spend a lot of time with negative people, they influence and taint your positive energy and you find yourself having and projecting negative thoughts. You don’t necessarily need to severe ties with them immediately. It starts with a slow detachment until you realize that you can do so much better without them.
3. Be kind
Empathy is key when relating to negative people, and it doesn’t equate pity. You can empathize with people without pitying them. Understand that sometimes, this negativity stems from experiences that you know nothing about.
However, In your dealings with them, remember that nobody changes unless they desire change. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to change a person who doesn’t see the need for it.
Most of all, be kind to yourself. Being kind to yourself means knowing when you cannot save a negative person and moving away from the negativity.
4. Combat their negativity with positivity
You cannot completely stay away from negative people, because they are everywhere, even in your workplace. Find a way to function regardless of what is going on around you by doing the things that make you happy. Maintain a positive outlook towards life and this is the first step to ensuring that you are always winning.
Negativity should not be confused with realism because a Realist is not afraid to hope but a negative person thwarts the thought on arrival. Unfortunately for us, we come across the latter often in our lifetime: in school, at work, or even among our immediate family.
I hope these tips help you as you navigate through life every day.
P.S: Here are some other tips that can help you in your daily interactions too!