Image: 4 panels of Gru (middle-age man from Despicable Me movie) presenting a plan on a canvas.
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1: learn from your history of getting taken advantage of
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2: start setting boundaries with people
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3: “why are you so mean and angry now?”
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4: man looks at canvas with a concerned expression “why are you so mean and angry now?”
Remember, when setting and enforcing boundaries, the calmer and quieter you are, the more effective it is. This is true no matter what neurological situation you’re in.
I had a very successful social interaction just yesterday. I was in a spa with my lover, both tripping on magic mushrooms. After hours of sauna, warm pools, comfy mattresses, and cuddles, we became hungry and went to the restaurant in the spa.
On a table about three meters away sat a group of around six women. At some point they started talking about Israel/Palestine, raised their noise level and let their emotions shine through. I sat there peacefully waiting for my meal and watching the patterns in the wooden table move. Then they forced this emotionally charged topic on me. It totally ruined my chill vibe and I decided to act.
I approached the table and said the following in a calm and stern voice.
I left their table and they actually complied.
What I thought about saying, but did not: