How to Ignore Someone You Don’t Like Without a Stressful Drama

Knowing how to ignore someone can undoubtedly come in handy sometimes. Especially when there’s someone you don’t like, it’s best just to ignore them.

The secret to understanding how to ignore someone you don’t like isn’t like ignoring an actor you don’t like. You can’t just change the channel and avoid them. Learning how to ignore someone you don’t like is harder than it sounds in real life.

You think you don’t like someone, so ignoring them should be easy as pie, but it is human nature not to do that. We’re all wired to want to be liked, so as much as we say we want to ignore someone, it’s not always that easy. Strangely when we don’t like something, we get sucked into that dislike, annoyance, or even hate.

You end up resenting them or even being angry at them, which are emotions that are exhausting to hold around. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can ignore someone even without the drama and negativity that comes with it. [Read: How to ditch the bad company in your life]

Why would you want to ignore someone?

There are several reasons you’d want to ignore someone, one of them being not liking the person. Whether it’s a coworker, a friend, or even an acquaintance, you’re ignoring them because you don’t like them as a person. That’s a valid reason. Again, we don’t always like the people we meet or come across with.

Sometimes, we find their personalities annoying and unbearable, and it’s best to cut ties. Another reason could be they did something bad to really disappoint you. If it’s a friend, maybe they spread a rumor about you, or they backstabbed you.

If it’s someone you dated, well, obviously you’d only ignore them because they broke your heart and want nothing to do with them any longer.

It might sound harsh, but it’s a valuable life skill when you know how to ignore someone. It doesn’t make you a bad person – it only makes you human. [Read: The psychology of ignoring someone: Why we do it & ways to fix it]

How to ignore someone politely

Ignoring someone may initially sound mean or cruel, but it is also something you must do for yourself sometimes to be happier. You don’t want to hurt an old friend or a coworker, but cutting them out may be exactly what you need. But, if you want to do it politely, you certainly can. Simply do not reach out.

You need to remember that you aren’t entitled to like every person on this planet. Not only is that exhausting, but it’s also unrealistic. You won’t like everyone you meet, just as people aren’t always going to like you – and that’s okay. Avoid making eye contact if you have to be around them at work or events.

If this seems too harsh to you or you want to explain to someone why you are ignoring them, you can. If they hurt you somehow, or if there’s something they did, you can simply tell them just so they’re aware of what they did.

By giving a short explanation to someone about why you’ve chosen to ignore them, you are being as polite as you can. Being straightforward is the best thing you can do here. [Read: The guide you need to grow up and face life like an adult]

How to ignore someone online

It is both the easiest and the hardest to ignore someone online. It is almost impossible to escape someone’s online presence, but it also only takes a few steps to avoid it as much as possible. People are everywhere online. You’ll see their posts on Facebook, their comments and likes on Instagram, and their rants and ravings on Twitter.

First things first, you’ll want to block them. That is definitely the most effective way of ignoring someone online. You can do the same to their phone number, and they never have to know. When you block someone on social media or via phone, you won’t be bothered by them or their posts, but they’ll likely never know that you are ignoring them.

So, if someone’s online presence or postings put you in a bad headspace, go ahead and block them. We’re certain that’s why they invented the block in the first place!

If you want a more subtle way of ignoring someone online, you can always mute them instead so you can peacefully disregard everything they post. It’s actually much easier to ignore someone online than to do it in person, if you can resist the temptation to visit their profile page. [Read: Ignoring a guy – Why this works so well & how to use it right]

How to ignore someone you don’t like

Other than virtually and nicely, there are more methods you can take when learning how to ignore someone you don’t like. Here are a few other things you need to keep in mind while ignoring someone, so they don’t invade your peace of mind or ruin your sanity!

1. Stop thinking about them

We know this will sound more literary than literal, but the only reason you want to ignore this person is that you are letting their existence have power over you. Stop thinking about how they annoy you or what you don’t like about them. If you can do that, everything else will fall into place.

If you want to know how to ignore someone, stop letting their energy consume you. Don’t spend your time thinking about them, and you’re already a step closer to ignoring them entirely. [Read: 17 ways to welcome positive energy into your life]

2. Be positive

Not liking someone and cutting them out is the next best thing to not caring. When you have negative feelings toward someone, cutting them out is one way to ignore their presence. But if you focus on the positive instead of the negative, you won’t have to put so much effort in. [Read: How to stop caring about someone – 23 easy ways to move on from the pain]

We know just how hard it is to harbor negative feelings for someone, but being positive will help you keep the drama away in ignoring them. If you want to learn how to ignore someone with grace, this is how.

Instead of reminding yourself of the rude things they say, the inappropriate things they do, or anything else, remind yourself that you are surrounded by plenty of people you do like. [Read: How to be positive: Stop the downturn and find the silver lining!]

3. Keep everything brief

Sometimes we have to interact with people we don’t like. Whether you work with them, they’re a member of your family, or anything else, you may have to interact at some point. So during the times you do interact with them, remember to keep it brief and concise.

There’s no need to lengthen a conversation you’re trying to avoid in the first place. If they attempt to extend it, tell them kindly you have to go or that you are running late for a meeting or errand.

4. Be cordial

We’re not telling you to compliment their hair or flash them a friendly big smile. What we’re telling you is to be mature. Handle yourself around this person like a polite adult. You don’t want to make things worse.

You can still be civil with the person you’re trying to ignore without making a fuss about it. So if you want to know how to ignore someone, indulge in the necessary small talk and move on.

5. Stick with a friend

If you are running into the person you want to ignore regularly, tag a buddy along when you know they’re around. Not only with this take your mind off of the person you’re ignoring, but it will prevent them from approaching you as well.

People aren’t likely to approach someone if they know that person is busy with someone else. So unless they really don’t care or are still bold to approach you, make a friend tag along with you.

6. Let go of the urge to push back

People we try to ignore tend to push our buttons. It is easy to push back and then blame them for our bad mood. Instead, let whatever they say or do wash over you as if you’re wearing a poncho. You are aware they are there and annoying, but it doesn’t affect you.

So if they say something mean or harsh, don’t give them the satisfaction of knowing they’re negatively affecting you.

Indifference is the best thing you can do in this scenario. The minute they see you don’t care, they’ll simply move on and annoy the next person they see. [Read: The art of not giving a shit – How to not care in 15 steps]

7. Don’t be fake

Okay, we know how easy it is to be fake when learning how to ignore someone. However, this can come and bite you in the ass. You don’t have to fake-like them or go out of your way.

You also don’t have to show distaste for them. Just be neutral and polite. This will end the interaction as quickly as possible so you can go back to entirely ignoring them. [Read: How to spot a fake friend – 13 signs they can fake but can’t hide]

8. Distract yourself

Don’t like someone? Having trouble ignoring them? Easy, just do something else. If you are letting them get to you and can’t seem to shake them off, stay busy. Take up a new hobby, get a side job, or make plans with the people in your life that bring you happiness.

Distractions are the best way to forget they exist. So if you want to disregard their existence altogether and master the art of how to ignore someone, keep yourself busy.

9. Focus on those you do like

It sucks how the slightest bit of negativity in our lives can outweigh all the happiness. But in this case, it doesn’t have to. Instead of focusing on ignoring this person, enjoy the people you do like.

Stop letting the people trying to give you more negativity than intended from entering your mind. Instead, counter that negativity with people you actually enjoy being with. [Read: How to surround yourself with positive people]

10. Focus on yourself

This might seem cliche, but it works wonders for learning how to ignore someone. If you have focused on others that bring you joy, take the rest of your time to focus on yourself—practice self-care. Clean your place, purge any stuff that doesn’t make you happy.

If you make yourself the focus, you won’t have the space or energy to worry about the people you don’t necessarily like. You might even forget they exist with this simple trick. [Read: How to focus on yourself – 27 ways to create your own sunshine]

11. Don’t blame them

When we don’t like someone, we hold onto that and can turn it into a grudge. It becomes an ugly, festering sore that eats away at your positive outlook. We blame them for annoying us. We blame them for having to ignore them actively. But we shouldn’t have to change our routines or plans to avoid them when they are annoying.

You need to understand that isn’t really their fault. Some people are just irritating to us, and that’s it. The more you’re looking for a finger to blame, the more you’re bringing drama and negativity into your life.

There’s no reason to blame them, especially if they’re not intentionally going out of their way to annoy you. Just accept they’re who they are as a person, and move on. [Read: 20 most common reasons why some people are disliked by everyone]

12. Don’t gossip

Gossip is a nasty thing. We may vent to our friends or coworkers about them when we start ignoring someone that we don’t like instead of having less than pleasant interactions. We know you’re annoyed at them to an extreme level, but there’s no reason to cause drama and spread gossip about them.

Again, if the reason you’re annoyed at them is because of their personality, it’s beyond their control. Gossiping will just backfire in learning how to ignore someone – we assure you that. [Read: When & how to end a friendship if they’re toxic & holding you back]

13. Remind yourself why you’re ignoring them

If you are having a hard time ignoring someone you don’t like because they have a charming side, they are friends with one of your friends, or for any other reason, actively remind yourself why you are ignoring them.

Remind yourself how they affect you negatively and why you don’t want to be around them. Even if their charm works for everyone else, remind yourself why they’re not a good fit for you. [Read: The shallow traits a superficial friend just can’t hide]

14. Tune them out

This sounds the easiest, but it isn’t. Tuning someone out to ignore them takes a lot of practice, but it is doable and widely effective. At the end of the day, you have full and complete control over the people you choose to affect you.

So ignoring someone often requires tuning them out and blocking their presence altogether. They won’t irritate you if you don’t let them – simple as that.

[Read: How to tell your real friends from your fake friend in an instant]

So, how to ignore someone?

Ignoring someone really all comes down to not letting them affect you in all aspects. The more you make a fuss out of everything and make a big deal out of it, the more likely you’ll be annoyed by their presence.

We all have people we don’t like and can’t tolerate, especially as we can’t be fond of everyone we meet. But, now that you know how to ignore someone you don’t like, you can move on with grace and without causing unnecessary drama in your life. 

The post How to Ignore Someone You Don’t Like Without a Stressful Drama is the original content of LovePanky - Your Guide to Better Love and Relationships.