A way to defuse conflict when you’re mad

Cari Nazeer
Forge
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2 min readJul 17, 2020
Photo: Steven Errico/Getty Images

😎 Today’s tip: It’s easier to let something slide if you reply in writing.

We’re all a little on edge lately, and it’s totally understandable if being in neverending crisis mode is starting to make you feel a bit, well, snippy.

Drew Magary’s advice for keeping your cool: “Writing requires more effort than yelling.” When your coworker blows a deadline? When your friend flakes on a socially-distant hangout you’d been looking forward to? Try responding in text or email instead of a call or IRL — the extra time it takes to type something out will help you get to a place of chill.

And often, it’s in your best interest to get there. As Magary writes, “Those moments where someone expects you to be angry or punishing, and you instead let it slide? They’re gorgeous.”

✍️ We want to hear from you. Send us an email at forge@medium.com and tell us about something you’ve let slide. We may feature some of our favorite answers on Forge’s Instagram.

📚 More from Forge on forgiveness:

Lowering the Bar is the Truest Act of Friendship
Read more >>

The Stoic Case for Cutting People Some Slack
Read more >>

A Therapist’s Simple Rule Transformed My Marriage
Read more >>

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Forge
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Published in Forge

A former publication from Medium on personal development. Currently inactive and not taking submissions.

Cari Nazeer
Cari Nazeer

Written by Cari Nazeer

Former lead editor, Forge @ Medium

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