Find Yourself

Have you ever had someone in your life who dominated every conversation, talking at you rather than with you? The longer you  remain in their presence, the less access you have to your own thoughts. You "numb out" and end up feeling badly about yourself. Because you're such a nice person, you allow this to go on, losing yourself in the process. You nod and remain outwardly attentive while inside you're feeling uneasy, bored, frustrated, and resentful. You fantasize about confronting them on their selfishness, then you feel like a coward because you can't do it. Try this instead. Interrupt them. Just introduce your own topic. You'll be surprised to find that they'll follow your lead. People who love to talk seldom resent the appearance of a new subject and will gladly be redirected. They still get what they want, and you get to be part of the conversation. Rather than getting mad, just bring yourself to the table. It's your right, plus it's kind of fun thinking of non-sequitors and watching your partner pick up the ball and run.

"Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you."   -Jean-Paul Sartre