Protecting Your Peace: Knowing When to Step Back.

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Honestly, I believe one of the most important skills anyone can have in life is knowing when to walk away from a situation. It might sound simple, but it’s really not. Some people get so caught up in the moment or in trying to prove a point that they don’t even realize they’re heading into something that could totally drain their energy or blow up into something worse. But trust me, there are times when the best move is to just quietly step back and avoid the situation altogether.

One thing I think I’ve grown really good at over time is reading a situation and knowing when it’s about to get toxic or spiral out of control. I’ve learned this through experience—one that I won’t forget anytime soon.

Back when I was in 300 level, there was this guy who i normally hang out with. We were kind of close, but one thing about him was that he had a really short temper. He could get angry over the smallest things, and sometimes, for no obvious reason at all. As guys, we loved arguing about different things. It was one of those things we did to pass time, laugh, and banter. So, on that particular night, it was just another football debate in the room. He was an Arsenal fan, and and as usual, we were just teasing him, nothing serious. Everything was going smoothly—until it wasn’t.

At some point in the argument, it became clear that he was losing. But instead of laughing it off or letting it go, he started getting defensive. You could see it in his eyes and on his face—he was getting very angry. Not even the “I’m joking with you” kind of angry, but the kind where you know a person is about to explode. I noticed that, and immediately, I knew it was time to leave the whole situation. So I just stopped arguing with them. I didn’t want any part in whatever was coming next.

Sadly, the others didn’t notice it as quickly as I did. Within minutes, he lashed out at one of them and said, “Are you mad? I will just punch you.” Others in the room were actually shocked. What started as playful banter had suddenly become a serious, heated situation. It got so bad that one of the hostel masters had to step in and separate them. He even took the two of them aside for a talk. That moment stuck with me. From that day on, I made up my mind never to get into anything deep or heated with him again. I didn’t want to deal with that kind of drama.

Overtime, i've come to realize that if you pay attention to people’s behaviour, then you’ll learn how to deal with them properly—or avoid them if necessary. Some people don’t know how to handle pressure or disagreement, and that’s okay. But you also have to know how to protect your peace.

Another thing is that avoiding a situation isn’t just about the other person. Sometimes it’s about you. If you notice that your own emotions are rising—if you feel yourself getting too angry or irritated—it’s okay to step away. You don’t have to prove anything. Just walk away, breathe, and calm down. Because in that heated moment, you might say or do something you’ll end up regretting deeply. And once those words are out or that action is taken, you can’t always take it back.

At the end of the day, avoiding a situation doesn’t even mean you’re weak. It means you’re wise. Not every battle is yours to fight. And sometimes, the real strength is in knowing when to let go.

Thanks for reading.

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