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Dealing with a sticky situation in regards to friendship, relationships, or with fellow peers is never fun. There is a part of you that wants to remain resilient, yet choose to acknowledge what went wrong leading up the situation. In my own experience, being the bigger person involves these four factors and it is important to understand the depths of the situation that you’re in: 

Analyze the Situation

    Understand the perspectives of the situation, which includes yourself and others that were involved. Really hear each other’s voices, and think before you jump into conclusions about someone’s thoughts. The worst thing that someone can do is misinterpret others and blame someone without good reason. 

    Be Intuitive with Your Thoughts

      You know yourself better than anyone else! When you feel that something is wrong, you are more than likely right about that feeling. Whether the situation has escalated, and is beyond your control, be okay with yourself to leave that conflict for your own self-worth. Or in another scenario, if you feel that you’ve built up some issues within yourself that is affecting your friendships, you should allow yourself to express your feelings to them and not hold these stresses in. 

      Create Boundaries

        It is important to prioritize yourself and create boundaries with the arised situation. For example, if the conflict has people who are pressuring you to do something that you know will not make you feel comfortable or nothing good will come out of it, be sure to set that boundary. Allow your friends or peers to know that being pressured to do the certain action does not make you feel good. If your friends truly care about your feelings, they will be able to respect your boundaries and be able to understand your considerations. 

        Own Up to Your Actions

          Lastly, it is important to own up to the actions that you will take to better yourself and recognize the situation that is being dealt with amongst your friends. Be sure to take care of yourself when being in a situation or conflict, and also take necessary actions that need to be done in order for progression and growth to happen. 

          Written by GUADS intern Kristen