Conflict avoidance. The social anxiety default setting. Confrontation, disagreement, even minor social friction – conflict felt like a threat to my social peace. For years, I avoided it at all costs. People-pleasing, silence, passive agreement – conflict avoidance became my primary social strategy. Then, one day, I faced conflict. And didn’t run.
It was a disagreement with a friend. A situation that would normally trigger my conflict avoidance reflex. But instead of backing down, apologizing, and retreating, I stood my ground. I voiced my opinion, calmly and respectfully, but firmly. And something surprising happened. The conflict, while uncomfortable, wasn’t catastrophic. Our friendship survived. And even, dare I say, strengthened through honest communication. Conflict facing without running wasn’t about suddenly loving confrontation, but about realizing that conflict is not always negative, that healthy disagreement is possible, and that running away from conflict often creates more problems than facing it. Conflict avoidance lessened, replaced by a growing willingness to engage in respectful disagreement and stand up for myself. Don’t run from conflict. Face it, respectfully and assertively. Healthy conflict can strengthen relationships and build self-respect.