Protecting Yourself

Protecting yourself means minimizing damage while preserving reputation and mental health. Do not badmouth the other party. Do not burn bridges. Do not let bitterness poison other relationships. How you lose reveals more about you than how you win.

Set a clear internal boundary: the maximum cost you are willing to bear. Define it in advance — time, money, emotional energy. When you hit it, stop. A predetermined exit point prevents the escalation that happens when each new attack triggers retaliation.