Like you, I’m only human, and I still take things personally sometimes when I’m in the heat of the moment. So I’ve implemented a simple strategy to support the practice of watching my response. In a nutshell, I proactively remind myself NOT to take things personally. Anytime I catch myself doing so, I pause and read the following mantras to myself. Then I take some fresh deep breaths…

1. You can’t take things too personally, even if it seems personal. Rarely do people do things because of you. They do things because of them.

2. You may not be able control all the things people say and do to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

3. There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you detach from other people’s beliefs and behaviours. The way people treat you is their problem, how you react is yours.

4. Take constructive criticism seriously, but not personally. Listen, and then operate with your own intuition and wisdom as your guide. (from the “Self-Love” )