Scars last forever
Forgive; sounds good
Forget; I don’t think I could
They say time heals everything, I’m still waiting.
Those are the lyrics to one of my favourite songs by the Dixie Chicks, and they directly apply to dealing with difficult people.
If you have someone who truly is a diffiult person, and if you have one of those “dreaded” confrontations, there is likely to be some type of scar. Perhaps it will scare you away from confrontation in the future, perhaps it will make you jump faster when someone crosses the line the next time. Whatever the result, dealing with difficult people and confrontations will leave it’s mark on you.
Make sure you are prepared before you have your confrontation. Make sure you are prepared before you say anything. This means to plan what you are going to say instead of relying on your instinct to say the right thing (that is not likely to happen). Make an appointment, schedule a time to talk, but avoid saying what is on your mind as it is happening (bite your tongue!).
You may be able to forgive, you may not be able to forget, but it is up to you what you say, how you say it, and when you say it. Take control so that you can heal from the situation.
