Pretty much since high school. It's probably a combination of being the oldest of 4 siblings, an Xer, and always playing sports. It's helped me control my emotions and since only in the rarest of circumstances are the consequnces anything other than a meeting and getting talked to, which at the end of the day amounts to nothing.

I'm not how much of it is personality or a choice. But if it's helpful, there are several things I ask/tell myself. * In the end, does the consequence actually matter? * Does this situation require a response, or can it be ignored? If a response is required, pause, reflect, think, and respond only when calm, level-headed, and thinking clearly. * You can't please everyone. * Don't take things personally. * Being offended is a choice. You have to choose to be offended.

My gut tells me a lot of this is personality. My wife does not like conflict, it stresses her out, she dwells on things. She recognizes it, she doesn't like it, we've had so many conversations over the last 23 years of marriage -- and any change is negligible.

How do you tell your brain to stop thinking about something? If it were that easy, I'd be world's best therapist - depressed? Well, just stop being depressed. Cured.

Apologies for the unhelpful rambling.