How to Overcome the Fear of Conflict

The fear of conflict afflicts and hampers many people in their daily lives. Those who experience this fear often avoid social situations in which their actions or expressions will be challenged by a potentially negative response. Too often we associate conflict with negativity or anger, but this doesn't always have to be the case if the parties involved are willing to listen and come to a resolution. Overcoming your fear of conflict is an important step to take toward living a successful and happy life.

Instructions

• 1

  Do some self-exploration to figure out if what you're suffering from is really fear of conflict or something else. Outer conflict stems from inner conflict, so pay close attention to your feelings. Your best tools in helping yourself are a paper and pen and, if necessary, some self-help books. If you feel anxious or stressed on a daily basis but can't quite pinpoint what's causing this, carry a notepad and pen in your pocket to record your feelings. This way you can look back at your past experiences and help narrow down your diagnosis. You may want to pay your local library's self-help section a visit. Use your symptoms to find the root of your problem.

• 2

  Write out a list of your fears. Most of our fears are heightened by relationships, be they platonic or romantic. Think about every relationship that you consider meaningful to you and all of the fears that come to mind regarding that relationship. The simple act of acknowledging these fears is a big step toward conquering them.

• 3

  Accept that there's nothing wrong with conflict. Conflict is a part of life, and it is nearly impossible to live productively in a world without it. There will always be someone who disagrees with you. Accepting that fact will help overcome your fear and move forward with your goals.

• 4

  Practice conflict resolution with a friend or family member. Realizing that conflict is fine when dealt with in a rational way will help you overcome your fear and build your confidence. Practicing your reactions to stressful situations will help you prepare for a more calm and confident reaction to similar situations in the future.