Have you ever been on the receiving end of someone’s negativity—maybe a passive-aggressive comment, an unnecessary jab, or just a bad attitude—and decided to say… nothing?
You walked away.
You didn’t react.
You didn’t take the bait.
And somehow, instead of de-escalating the situation, your silence seemed to bother them even more. Maybe they got angrier. Maybe they doubled down. Or maybe they gave you the cold shoulder.
Why exactly does not responding bother negative people so much?
Let’s talk about it.
I’ll speak for myself when I say not responding to things sent to destroy your peace, is probably one of the hardest things to do. It took me a long time (and I mean, a LOOONG time ) to get to a point where I realized not everything deserved a reaction out of me – and honestly, I’m not even fully there yet.
Especially in the case of ‘ The internet trolls’, do I find it particularly tough to ignore. I want so badly to fight fire with fire. They post something petty, I post something pettier back. I can go low, real low. But what does that accomplish? You hurt the other person’s feelings for a moment (or at least, you think you do) and then what? — Not only does this get a extremely corny, but it’s a game for children. As a grown woman, I’d like to believe I have better things to do than go back and forth with someone, who’s clearly miserable in their own lives. I’ve learned the secret formula to handling such people: Keep it quiet & Keep it cute 💁🏽♀️. Here’s to making them feel stupid…
1. They Were Looking for Control
Many people use negativity as a tool to control the room. It’s not always conscious—but when someone lashes out, they’re often hoping to spark a reaction. Whether it’s anger, guilt, defensiveness, or even just discomfort, your emotional response gives them a sense of control.
So when you don’t react?
They lose that power.
And for some, that’s infuriating. Actually, for many it is. Imagine trying so hard to control another person’s emotions, and they don’t even notice you 😂.
2. They Wanted Validation
Oftentimes, negativity is rooted in insecurity, and the negative person is seeking some form of validation from you – don’t do it. People may complain, criticize, or stir the pot because they want your attention. They want someone to acknowledge their feelings—even if they’re expressed in unhealthy ways.
But your silence?
That can feel like rejection.
And rejection stings. Like a bee 🐝 🙃
3. It Challenges Their Ego
Let’s be honest—a lot of us have fragile egos. When you refuse to engage with negativity of others, they may take it as disrespect or dismissal. In their mind, “How dare you not respond to me?”
You didn’t argue.
You didn’t defend yourself.
You didn’t even flinch.
And that can bruise a prideful person more than words ever could. — Because why would I even waste my time on you?
4. It Forces Self-Reflection (Which Can Be Uncomfortable)
Here’s a deeper truth: your silence holds up a mirror.
When you don’t react, they’re left alone with their own words and energy. That uncomfortable quiet? It forces them to confront what they said, how they said it, and why they felt the need to go there.
Not everyone is ready to look in that mirror and face their own B.S.
5. It Breaks the Pattern
Negativity often follows a pattern: someone throws shade, the other person bites, and the cycle continues (trust me, I know. I’ve done it 🙄): But when you step out of that dynamic—when you stay calm, quiet, and collected—you break the loop. Essentially, leaving them talking to themselves and wondering if you’ve noticed their attempts in the first place.
And pattern-breakers are powerful.
It might confuse them. It might frustrate them (no, it definitely will) . But it also disrupts the toxic rhythm they’ve come to rely on.
So What Can You Do?
Keep doing what you’re doing.
Walking away from negativity doesn’t make you weak—it makes you strong. It takes emotional maturity to choose peace over drama. It takes wisdom to know that not every battle is worth fighting.
You’re not responsible for someone else’s discomfort when you choose not to engage.
You’re protecting your energy, your boundaries, and your peace.
And that’s more than okay—it’s admirable.
Final Thought:
Silence isn’t always passive. Sometimes, it’s the loudest and most powerful response there is.
When you ignore the drama, the people who thrive on chaos start to malfunction—like, “HELLO? Why aren’t you arguing back?!”
Meanwhile, you’re just sipping your water, minding your business, and wondering what’s for dinner.
So no, silence isn’t stoic. It’s petty, powerful and LOUD. 😌✨
Make ‘em sweat, make ‘em anxious and MAKE ‘EM FEEL STUPID!
Obviously not every negative thing should be ignored, however. With discernment, we’ll know what to address and what to let slide.
When’s the last time you found yourself fighting to ignore someone’s negativity? Is it hard for you to do, or does it come easily?
TTYL
LEXI 💋
