Everyone lives in some form of community. Whether you have a family or are part of a group or organization, there is a community that relies on you and is impacted by your decisions. In the same way, you are reliant on others to make safe and good decisions that may affect you one way or another.
What happens when someone’s poor decision devastates you?
You may become collateral damage to someone else’s poor decision. Life as you know it will change forever through no fault of your own. How do you manage the fall out and move forward when you’re caught up in someone else’s experience? Can you recover and get back to where you were before? Yes, you can.
By doing these things:
First – Think about yourself. If the offending party has caused a lot of damage, it is vital to think about yourself for a moment. Do you need safety? Does something immediate need to happen? Your safety and the safety of those closest to you and under your supervision is the first order of business.
Second – Think about others. If the poor decision is affecting multiple people, it’s time for damage control. Connect with others who are impacted and ensure everyone is on the same page about any next steps that need to happen. You may not be responsible for other people during this time, but you may need to coordinate your efforts.
Third – Get some help. You may need counseling, support, legal representation, or some other form of help. Get it. Don’t suffer in silence and don’t neglect anything that needs to happen. Get some help during this difficult time and protect yourself if necessary.
Fourth – Give yourself some time. What has happened may take time to reconcile. Allow yourself time to heal and move through the pain until you are ready to move forward. Don’t make any fast decisions or permanent choices when you are emotionally distraught.
Finally – Learn to forgive. Forgiveness isn’t for them, it’s for you. Being able to sort through the rubble of what has happened and come to a place of forgiveness can help you move on and get back on track with life.
You can survive someone else’s poor decision, even if it devastates you. Your life may shift for a moment, but it will right itself again. Take care of yourself and the people who rely on you. Get support and give yourself time to heal. There is no perfect way to manage being let down by someone else’s decision, but there are general ways to get through it.
