It’s about the relationship, not the vacuum cleaner

Getting sucked into other people’s energy is the name of the game today and it reminded me of a recent argument I had with my husband over the purchase of a new vacuum cleaner.

I pick vacuum cleaners for their style. I found one that was pink, it looked easy to handle, the decision made. Right?

My husband, on the other hand, is an engineer and a lot more interested in the mechanics of a vacuum and how long it will last.

He is a problem solver, by nature. I am more of a free spirit.

Who is right and who is wrong?

It’s about the relationship, NOT which vacuum cleaner we choose.

If I want to be right, he has to be wrong. And vice versa. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

We can accept each other’s views, see the value in the differing opinion and ease our stress in the process.

I hear people say all the time…

“I don’t need to be around their negative energy today.”

It may not technically be negative energy, but different energy.

And when we realize that, it makes situations a lot easier in which to respond, whether in personal or professional settings.

There are a lot of reasons our views differ as humans.

Generational gaps.
Creative vs. logical brains.
Cultural differences.
Experiences that have caused mindset shifts.
Growing up rich or middle class or poor.
Where we live.
Our education.

And so on and so forth.

Stress comes from judgment.

“They don’t fit into our mold, they must be wrong.” A terrible way to think.

Instead, focus on the reasons a person may think or feel a certain way.

Engage more. Be curious.

It’s not about being the same, it’s about accepting differences and looking at the bigger picture.

What can you do, what can you shift? Find the dialogue.

My husband’s take on the vacuum makes a lot of sense. There is no point buying something that will only last a year or two, just because I like the color. There is also no sense in having a massive argument over something so trivial. Life is far too short to let stress eat away at us.

Most of our stress can be completely avoided, if we only let these little things go.

There is certainly a pink vacuum out there that also has good reviews and will last us a long time.

Next time you find yourself on the other side of an argument because your views don’t match with the other persons, try some of the advice in this blog and let me know how it goes!

I enjoy sharing books and resources with you and this book by Manuel J. Smith, “When I Say No, I Feel Guilty” is a really good read.

And if you want to join a community of other women wanting a change in their lives, join my Facebook Stress Busting Strategy Group.