Shanli Liu, a CPA and CTP, shares three steps for taking a break during a heated conversation. Say you're stepping away, not abandoning them. Frame it as something you need for yourself. Set a specific time to talk again.
The next time you need a break or some space during an argument, number 1, make it clear that you're leaving the conversation. You're not leaving the other person. It sounds like, "I need to step away from this conversation," not, "I need to get away from you," or else you run the risk of losing any progress that you've made. Number 2, now I hear you saying, "But Jefferson, there's some people I need to get away from." I hear you, and saying that gives them too much power, gives them too much control. When you say, "I need a break from you," No, you turn it to yourself. You flip the power dynamic. I need a break for myself. I need a minute for myself. I need to step away for myself. Number 3: Make sure you set a time to come back to the conversation. Instead of saying, can we talk about this later? Can we talk about this in an hour? Can we talk about this tomorrow? Avoiding the hard conversation may make it easier to walk away now, but you'll trip over it later. So try that and follow me.
