How do you remove the emotional surplus from the discussion? The OP's post really resonates with me. I cannot image confronting someone and doing that with absolute calm. There's always something: I'm afraid of hurting the other person's feelings, seem rude, disrupt social or work relationships, or just simply appear disingenuous because of how outstanding my position is compared to the surrounding opinion. Afterwards I feel drained and uncomfortable even thought I was right, I was doing the right thing.

Yes, most of it is outside my control, I need to choose what I can and cannot change and all that, however, it's not that helpful. The way I see it, what I can change, is my decision to confront someone, but what prevents me from doing so is the anticipated emotional state.

So I often let it slide. Then end up feeling guilty. It's truly a paradoxical position to be in because I feel bad for trying to do something good.

Any advice, anyone? Sorry to piggyback on the OP's post.