--the key to becoming a better adjusted adult wasn't simply avoiding heated exchanges entirely, because down that path lies relentless *fear* of others' hostility.
(And if you knew me in my late teens and early twenties, you'd know I was relentlessly afraid of making people angry. Always apologizing, and always making people angry *with* my constant apologies!)
Growth has instead required learning to hold in tension the fact that conflict and *safety in conflict* look different for us all.
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Don't know why my next reply lost connection to this thread, but here's the closer to this train of thought:
@MLClark
Right there with you, my friend. Sounds like we were brought up in the same family.
@MLClark π«
My lack of direct attacks will always make me seem untrustworthy or unsafe to some - especially folks like my old roommate, who see shouting and direct, even personal attacks for a brief blow-up as "more honest".
Conversely, people shouting at me or going for the jugular with personal attacks will always be no bueno for me.
(It's been joked that I can handle pretty much anything as long as no one raises their voice in the process. My experiences with violent assault show that to be true!)
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