angriness lessons

[godream]

Okay, so how does one go about getting better at semi-confrontations? I have this possibly-terrible reflex of backing down right away from any sort of real disagreement -- not even in the sense of "well, you're entitled to your opinion" although I do that too but in the sense of "okay, I'm sorry, do you want me to make it up to you?" even when in retrospect I realize I've done nothing wrong, and asking others shows that they think I've been more than reasonable too. But the reflex for anything remotely resembling an accusation is still: whoa, sorry sorry sorry, eek... and I should learn to do better at that before I get out in the Real World and it starts mattering.

In other news, I'm actually ahead on psets and such. Better gloat about it while it lasts...

Comments

[shaktool.livejournal.com]

Imagine your opponent's face glaring at you. While doing this, start grinning, and keep grinning for at least a minute. Do this often, especially in public.

Dunno if it'll work, but it sounds like a great idea to me. Take that, empathy!

[godream.livejournal.com]

And sooner or later everyone'll be too creeped out to argue with me anymore? ;)

[shaktool.livejournal.com]

There is a school of thought that happiness is so strongly linked with facial expressions that you can actually cause yourself to feel happier by smiling (but it has to be the right kind of smiling, saying "cheese!" isn't good enough). I find myself leaning a little towards this school of thought, believe it or not. And then throw in the Pavlov's Dog effect, and maybe you can convince yourself to feel glad rather than bad whenever people are angry at you. So, I was actually half-serious.

...Yes, I'm insane. But insanity and genius are not mutually exclusive! >:)

[(Anonymous)]

Ah--- I've heard that theory before, just didn't make the connection. Fair enough.

... :)

[godream.livejournal.com]

... that being me not-logged-in. Oops.