How do you deal with being hurt by words?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (55605)
March 6, 2026 11:49pm CST
Let's be real for a minute.
Words can truly hurt. Spoken or written in anger, fear, insecurity--whatever the reason, they can truly cut so deep...and your first instinct is to lash out and return the insults, or to be defensive. But as you grow up and mature, you realize that doesn't work--it just spirals out of control and causes even more words to be said on both sides. Pretty soon, the people exchanging the words forgot what started it--all they know is, they are arguing and it never ends well. No one wins.
No one is immune to hurt. Many can brush it off, but the hurt is still there. They just don't show that it bothers them.
What is recommended when someone uses words to hurt you?
Just walk away. Disappear. You're done.
. This lets the person that verbally abused you or used words they knew would hurt you know, you will not accept that behavior and you are just done. The highest recommendation can also be the hardest one to accomplish, especially if you are dealing with a family member, OR someone you considered a friend. When someone is unkind, they don't deserve your friendship, time, or caring. Supposedly, this is the healthiest way to deal with words that are said and meant to hurt you.
I honestly think words can hurt worse than physical blows. Friend or family, ''real'' life or online friends, it doesn't matter--words can truly cut deep.
9 people like this
10 responses
@LooeyVille (46)
• United States
10h
I don't forget the ugly hurtful words, but I try to maintain the relationship unless it's abusive then I walk away.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55605)
•
14h
Judy, it really is difficult. A person just wants to cut loose and tell the other person just exactly what they think of him/her, and the entire thing...but it does no good.
@AmbiePam (114259)
• United States
7h
I have a family member whose words cut like a knife. I try not to tick them off because I know how vicious they can be. I’ll be real though; if I wanted to cut someone to the quick, I could do it. I once let loose on that family member, and it really set them off. But, I had grown so tired of being the doormat.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (130677)
• Marion, Ohio
7h
If it's a first time I will try to work it out with them. But a continuous thing I am done
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (215674)
• United States
7h
Cousin #2 has hurt me deeply with some of the things she's said; but I think that may be in the past. She seems to have mellowed quite a bit.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (83660)
• United States
1h
Generally it depends on who says it and in what context. My book was destroyed by words from someone I loved. But as far as insults from strangers, meh. I was insulted to my face when I was a kid, so someone hiding behind an online account won’t bother me.
@thislittlepennyearns (66859)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
14h
I usually don't really care about what other people's words said to me are.
I am comfortable with who I am, and know that I am not everybodys cup of tea and that people are going tohave strong feelings about me and verbalize those sometimes.
Very rarely does it actually hurt me. But sometimes it does.
Usually i just brush it off.
