Have you ever received a negative comment on your post and didn’t know how to respond?

Before we get into the different ways, remember that first and foremost, you never have to justify your worth. Regardless of what others say, never question your right to share who you are, and what you believe.

Now, let’s get into the 3 ways you can respond the next time you receive those negative comments:

1. Don’t take anything personally. Remember, hate comments are a reflection of someone else’s inner-life state. People often use social media to project their insecurities, and at the end of the day, this is about them—not about you.

2. Don’t react immediately. Take a second and check in with yourself. What emotions are coming up? How is your body reacting? Get curious. If you recognize deep feelings, pause and take a deep breath. Go for walk outside. It’s always best to wait and respond once you’ve created space between you and the incident. And when you are in a better space, you have a few options:

   1. Delete the comment. If someone has left a comment for the sake of being hateful, delete that shit lol. You are responsible for managing your own page. It’s up to you to decide what kind of environment you want your platform to be for you and others.

   2. Leave the comment, but don’t respond. If someone’s comment has a point but you don’t want to give your energy away, just keep it up and don’t respond.

   3. Respond to the comment with grace and dignity. Approach it from a place of love. You could say, “Thank you for sharing” or “I appreciate your perspective.” And if you feel inclined, you can write a longer response.

3. Choose your battles. But, remember, you never have to justify your worth. Regardless of what others say, never question your right to share who you are and what you believe. If you find yourself in a negative headspace, be gentle with yourself. Try not to dwell on it and bring yourself back to your why. Why do you want to create content and share your authentic self with others?

If you find yourself wanting more clarity around this, a supportive community like Personal Brand Accelerator can help you determine your purpose and goals for posting. You are more powerful than a silly hate comment. Never forget it!