Sticks & Stones: 5 Ways To Be Impervious To Insults

Portrait of a beautiful African American woman with a suspicious expression

Should the pangs of painful put-downs live deep inside our hearts ’til our very last breath? Of course not!

Still, cruel criticisms from our past, whether from school bullies or filter-less family members, can eat us up alive mentally and emotionally — if we allow them too.

People can point their weapon of wrathful words at you all they want, but you have the power to dodge the bullets and envelope yourself with an impenetrable armor. Here are the secrets to becoming completely impervious to insults that are hurled your way.

1. Know Your Worth So That No One Can Define You

Shutterstock

Having a well-defined character is crucial to being invincible to vicious verbal attacks.

Think about it this way: A clump of clay doesn’t have a solidified shape, right? Anyone can mold it into whatever he or she wants.

But when an object has a defined sense of being, like a laptop for example, there’s no way in hell it’s going to let you transform it into whatever you want. It’s a f***ing laptop, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

In the same way, you need to crystallize your character – you are stunningly gorgeous, you are incredibly intelligent.

So if someone says you’re frightfully ugly or dumb as rocks, it will bounce off your strong, solidified self like a ping pong ball. You know who you are – you’re f***ing amazing, and there’s nothing they can do about it. But if you waver in knowing your worth, unfortunately, you will find yourself like putty in the hands of those who would love to manipulate your mind into mush.

2. Insults Are Less About You, And More About The Aggressor’s Past Pain

Shutterstock

Sometimes it’s envy, other times it’s dirt-poor self esteem. Maybe they’re just looking for attention. Perhaps they’re dealing with a traumatic past and using you as their punching bag.

You may never know.

But most times, it ain’t about you. It’s more about them and the monstrous emotions they’re battling within. And unfortunately, they want to drag you down into their dark lair, too.

Once you tell yourself “this miserable soul is salty over something much deeper than me, and I’ll be damned if she pulls me down with her,” you’ll find yourself liberated from any acidic remarks aimed at you.

3. Perfect Your Poker Face

Image Source: Shutterstock

It’s human nature to crave a reaction. We plan surprise parties for the shocked, jaw-dropping faces. We tell jokes in expectation of big laughs. And we insult people because we want to see them bawl their eyes out.

Don’t give them the satisfaction!

Though you may be inwardly seething, your face should look as if you’re shrugging it off and not letting ’em get to you.

The more you practice how to not be visibly upset, internally, you’ll eventually condition your body to refrain from reacting so sensitively to any offensive comments tossed your way.

4. Create an Arsenal of Comebacks

Image Source: Shutterstock

Have a vault of ready-made comebacks so that when someone comes for you, you’ll be saying, “I’ve got something for your a**!”

Not all of us are witty; it may take some of us a while to think of a snappy retort. So if you could keep a few zingers in the back of your mind to shut ’em up forever you’ll be set for life.

5. Shake Off the Sensitivity

Shutterstock

In this explosive climate we live in, inundated by political firebrands and Twitter troublemakers, we often feel slighted by others’ views, opinions, and perceptions of the world.

But if someone doesn’t share your mind, who cares? You can froth up with fury ’til you turn beet red, but you still won’t have the power to change others’ viewpoints.

Why let it chip away at your happiness? Why be held down by something you can’t control?

Let go and let live.

Kimberly Gedeon is a content creator with nearly 2,000 professional articles published online about everything from beauty and business to politics and po culture. You can follow her on Instagram @kimmiexsweetie.