Recognize patterns of behavior

Take a good, honest look at your own behaviors and actions. Maybe you’re the one who often starts arguments, or perhaps you find yourself getting involved in them even when you don’t want to.

Understanding these patterns of behavior can help you make better choices about what you say and do, and who you spend time with. It allows you to decide not to engage in certain activities or conversations with specific people.

For example, if you have a friend who loves to gossip, recognizing this pattern of behavior can help you avoid getting caught up in rumors. You’ll realize that sharing a story with them will likely result in it being spread to others, even if they promise otherwise. It’s not that your friend is a bad person; it’s just their tendency to gossip. Knowing this, you can be more cautious about what you share with them.

Similarly, someone who often gets jealous or lies will likely continue to do so in various situations. Once you recognize these patterns, you can adjust your interactions accordingly. For instance, you might be more careful about giving feedback to someone who is hypersensitive, knowing they might take it the wrong way.

Once you see these patterns, it’s important not to feed into them. Instead, you can choose to respond in a way that doesn’t perpetuate the behavior.

Take a good, honest look at your own behaviors and actions. Maybe you’re the one who often starts arguments, or perhaps you find yourself getting involved in them even when you don’t want to. Understanding these patterns of behavior can help you make better choices about what you say and do, and who you spend…