🚪 When Your Energy Says “No” but Your Mouth Smiles

Some people don’t annoy you — they just don’t fit. And the older you get, the

faster you learn that forcing the fit is exhausting.

You know the type.
Nothing technically wrong with them… but your spirit tightens the second they walk into the room.

That’s not you being dramatic.
That’s your nervous system filing a formal complaint.

The first rule of avoiding someone you don’t jive with?
Stop explaining yourself.

You do not owe anyone a PowerPoint presentation on why you’re suddenly “busy,” “running late,” or “headed the opposite direction with intention.”
Short answers save energy.
“Well, it was good seeing you!” is a complete sentence.

Next up: master the strategic exit.

Bathroom break.
Phone call.
Refilling your drink… very slowly.
Checking on something that absolutely does not need checking.

If you disappear long enough, most people assume adulthood happened and move on.

Then there’s the soft fade — an elite-level skill.

This is not ghosting.
This is a respectful retreat.

You reply slower.
You share less.
You stop volunteering details.

Eventually, the connection dissolves naturally, like a conversation that should’ve ended ten minutes ago.

Now for the truth part no one likes to say out loud:
Avoiding someone you don’t jive with isn’t rude.

Forcing yourself to stay where you feel uncomfortable?
That’s what drains you.

Not everyone is meant to be:

• a close friend

• a regular conversation

• or anything more than someone you nod at from across the room

And that’s okay.

You’re allowed to choose peace.
You’re allowed to protect your energy.
You’re allowed to quietly opt out without an explanation.

So the next time that person starts walking toward you?
Smile politely.
Pivot smoothly.
And walk straight into your peace like the emotionally aware adult you are.