r/Advice•
dewi_sampaguita

Sometimes people around me ignore what I said, or pretend they don't hear it. How do I not take it personal?

There were many instances, with different groups of people, I realized I wasn't heard or ignored. It made me feel worse when it happened at work. I keep telling myself not to take it personally, and it is not about me. But sometimes, I can't shake off the negative thought in my head. I do wonder: 'do I have a bad personality?', 'Am I a toxic individual?', ' Did people dislike me?' etc

I am a small team leader at work (team of 4). It is normal to separate the people in one's personal life and at work. I understand that, and I do not ask to be part of my team's personal life. But even at work, a team member tends to pretend like I'm not there and chooses not to report to me. it made me feel like I am a bad person and a bad leader. I tried to talk to the person about it, but they always said, everything is fine.

One time, the whole office was happily chatting, cracking jokes, and laughing at each other. When I said something as a reaction to the joke, suddenly everyone became quiet and kept busy with their laptop and screens. The same thing happened when one colleague was sharing their personal life, and others were chipping in about their life too. When I share my experience, suddenly the conversation ends. Is there something wrong with me?

At my volunteer activity, sometimes the same thing happened. When we are in a meeting, many times it is forgotten that I am also in there.

I want to care less about it and just focus on my work, my things. But I am also a social animal, like all of us are. I couldn't help but wonder, 'What is wrong with me?'. what do I change to be socially better in situations like this?

Posted Jun 12, 2025, 9:41 AM UTC

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