Although I haven't been around for that long, I have come to a realization; I am not going to like everyone, and that is OK. Now, bear with me, because I know that's harsh, but every single person has met someone that they just naturally don't get along with--one of you is a cat and the other is a dog.
Here are some tips to help you get along when you just don't get along.
1. Give them a second chance.
I know i am extremely guilty of making a perception of someone after the first time i meet them. Unfortunately, most people are not perfect, which means they will have days where they wake up grumpy, or their dog just died or something happened. If you meet them/interact with them on that day, then your perception may be off on who they truly are. The first interaction between the two of you might not have been the best, but give them the benefit of the doubt and try again.
2. Be kind to them.
So you've given them a second chance and it's still not working. This one is a little ironic since you don't get along, I know (LOL), but kindness doesn't mean you have to go to lunch with them or ever even hangout with them. Kindness means when they walk by, smile and acknowledging that they are alive. Unfortunately, people think that just because they don't get along means they can be rude and hateful towards other people. Why waste your energy to be rude when it is so much easier to be nice?
3. Take a deep breath.
(This one's lowkey my favorite.) Those people that you don't get along with just do things that innately irritate you. When you take a step back and just take a deep breath, it allows you to ask yourself, “Will this even matter in five seconds, five minutes or five years?” The likelihood is no. If you're like me, without the pause and deep breath, you'd more than likely say something you would regret, would just lead to more not getting along.
4. Try to fix the problem, not just avoid it.
This one is tough, unless you're naturally and consciously a bigger person. And if so, do you really have people you don't get along with? I’m not saying you have to confront them about everything they do that irritates you. But finding ways to work through the problem, or agreeing to disagree can allow for more peace in the relationship and inner peace, because there is not reminder of constant conflict.
5. Don't talk about them behind their back.
This is the last thing you want to do. Just because you don't get along with them doesn't mean everyone else in your life doesn't! You would hate to add more fuel to the fire by saying something behind their back, having them find out and then just continually being more mad. That, my friend, is a vicious cycle.
6. If all else fails, always have an escape route.
If there is no possible way for you two get to along, but you still have to work/see each other on a regular basis, if you ever get in conversation, always have an easy way to get out.
Some good ones could be, “My phone is ringing and I need to answer it,” “Excuse me, I really need to go finish my errands” or “Excuse me, I have explosive diarrhea.”
Understanding that you don't have to like everyone and not everyone is going to like you is half the battle. “You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, but there will always be someone who hates peaches."
