Knowing when to walk away from a debate or a full-on fight is important. Whether it’s in-person or online, sometimes your peace means more than stating your opinion to someone, or even a group.

This can get deeper when you’re in favor of the rights and liberties of all people, regardless if you’re a member of communities discussed in any debate.

Sometimes, the air can be cleared when all parties can speak to each other that doesn’t trigger ideas of passive aggression, deflection, and undermining one’s views.

For the others, nothing means more to them than having the final say in something you’re at odds about.

Don’t fall for it.

Let your silence be the answer they deserve.

And don’t give them the courtesy of saying they’re right just to end the fight, at the cost of burying your feelings. They love that.

Don’t fall for the traps of “manning up,” “stop being a….,” “don’t you have something to say,” or other fine instigations, especially the ones in your head. Those are the voices of people that need to win. If they’re on the outside looking into your matter, they’re the ones that thrive on chaotic behavior.

If they corner you in any form, do what you must to get away and stay there, because in that case, the best person to keep the peace with is yourself.

D.F.