by Wahidabi Sulaiman

Created on: June 24, 2009

Who are the people who drain your energy? Have you ever noticed these people? You would have as we all are exposed one if not many. The signs that you are around such a person would be as follows. You can't wait to get from that person. You are dumbfounded and find that you are not able to communicate or even contribute to the conversation with this person. You feel very tired and you could be constantly yawning. Also, once this person leaves or when you are out of the situation, you somehow feel much better. Now, how can you not be around such people who drain your energy. All the more, how is it possible to avoid if this person happens to stay with you!

Be positive. It may sound cliched. However, this is very important. Only you can decide how you want to feel. Hence, if you decide you want to be happy, you will find ways to be happy. Suppose the person who drains your energy is constantly talking in the negative, you can decide how you want to react to it. Whatever you feed will grow. Hence, don't feed the negativity this person is uttering. Instead try to bring this person's view towards the positive side. Try as much as you possibly can. When you start feeling that this action is not working, agree to disagree and bring a different topic to conversation. Remember, whatever you feed, will grow. Hence, your commitment must always be to be on the positive side. This will ensure your sound mental health.

Secondly, make your situation known to the person who is draining your energy. It is possible that many times, the person in question is not even aware what that person is doing to you. Since you are there and listening, the person could be thinking that you are a good confidant or a good friend. Making your situation known would eliminate unnecessary speculations and bring the relationship back on track.

Thirdly, stay away. This is a another alternative. In fact, my recommendation would be use this as the last resort. Just because someone is draining our energy does not mean that we should shun the person altogether. You never know when you will need a listening ear in the future. Therefore, staying away should only be used as a last resort. What staying does is two things. One, it will ensure that your energy does not drained. Secondly, it will hint to the other person that you are interested in discussing certain issues. Make excuses that hint to the person what your real reason for not participating is.

In conclusion, you have to decide what you want hear and who you want to be around with. It is always not necessary that what you want would be. Hence, learn to take things in your stride. Be a good conversationalist. This would ensure that you know how to bring a conversation to a positive note, how to express yourself to other people and how to stay away. Remember, what you feed will grow.

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