“If it’s a negative comment that’s hanging over your head, the key is turning it around.”

I don’t know about you, but often when someone makes a passive aggressive or critical comment, it can ruin my whole day. I thought I was the only one who would respond this way until I talked with a coworker who said they could relate.

I’m a fairly emotional person. I’ve always been that way, and I think that’s okay. I care about others, my work, and my happiness. I know many individuals in older generations view millennials as overly emotional. They use the word “snowflake” to depict millennials as fragile and sensitive. But I think that millennials, generally speaking, are one of the most accepting and compassionate generations thus far. Look at the recent changes regarding the LGBTQ community, for example. More equalizing legislation has arisen recently than ever before.  Body positivity and normalizing mental illness have also been mainstream messages largely constructed and bolstered by the millennial generation. So when someone calls you overly emotional, take it with a grain of salt, and thank them for recognizing your compassionate side.

Now that being said, I don’t always appreciate how my mind does respond to negative comments from others. Even things like constructive criticism can rub me the wrong way if presented poorly. So how can you take it in stride, learn from it, and move on with your day?