-move. And keep moving. The longest time I have lived in a house is 10 years, the shortest was 2 months. Avoiding conflict was the common thread.
-read the room. When a person with whom I have a difference of opinion walks in one door, I leave through the other. Or if I am obliged to stay, I constantly move to another area. Always pay attention.
-keep quiet. I am a master at not expressing my opinion on most things.
-listen. And listen some more. Listen until you are saturated with their thoughts, then continue to hold yours in.
-road trips. I have taken two solo drives across the country, and have another planned this summer. Over 11,000 km each trip. The only arguments I have are discussions with myself about how the lyrics of the songs on my playlist do or do not resemble my own experience.
-quit. Whether it’s a job, a marriage, a hobby, a friendship, I can avoid conflict by escaping.
-pivot. Cross the street at the right time. Leave the store when you realize your enemy is inside. Look the other way to avoid eye contact.
-disappear. When conflict is inevitable and I don’t want to face it I do the old “Irish goodbye” trick and quietly disappear from an event or a relationship.
Reflections 