People Who Are Done Explaining Themselves Tend To Say 9 Short Phrases & Stop Talking
PeterPike | Shutterstock Once a person is done trying to explain themselves, they tend to keep their responses short and to the point. They aren't wasting anymore breath on a pointless argument.
The need to be understood is about feeling safe, but eventually everyone has to decide whether to keep trying when the person they are talking to doesn't really want to understand.
People who are sick of explaining themselves use certain phrases to shut people down:
1. ‘I’m not discussing this’
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Some people think they are entitled to our every thought. This means they might try to change your mind. Even when you feel secure in your decision, they still want to discuss it to see what they can get out of you. These relationships feel exhausting, and it’s no surprise that some people reach their breaking point.
This can be especially frustrating when someone’s emotions lead to their decision. Having someone question your thought process can feel disrespectful. When it becomes too much, they finally put their foot down and refuse to explain any further.
2. ‘My decision is final’
By refusing to discuss their thought process, people who are done explaining themselves don’t give anyone the chance to change their mind.
This means they finally started standing up for themselves. They know they deserve the chance to make their own decisions. It’s not worth their time or effort to share their feelings with others when they worry they won’t be understood. Staying firm in their choices empowers them.
3. ‘Please stop asking’
We’ve all been asked awkward, uncomfortable questions. Someone who feels comfortable sharing every thought with you trusts and respects you. That doesn’t mean the constant questions can’t get annoying, especially when they’re asked about something they have put a lot of thought into. Finally, they may reach their breaking point and stop being polite. Asking them directly to stop asking is a sign of confidence.
This confidence can grow over time. This means they’ve developed the ability to trust themselves. Shutting down questions can become easier when they are comfortable in their own skin. Now, they’ll use this phrase to tell others to stay in their own lane.
4. ‘I want to’
I wish I could tell someone I was doing something because I wanted to, but I believe I need a valid reason or excuse. It makes me feel like my wants and needs don’t matter, and I need to do everything I can to make everyone else happy. It’s an unfair way to live, and I respect people who tell it like it is.
Listening to yourself makes you happier. People may expect you to follow their wishes, but instead, stand firm in your beliefs. Whether that’s making a job decision or doing something for fun, the questions from others don’t faze you. Gone are the days of putting someone’s thoughts before your own.
5. ‘I don’t need your approval’
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Receiving approval from others can feel like the best thing in the world. It validates you. However, we can become reliant on that feeling. Instead of doing things for the sake of it, we want to make sure others approve. This becomes exhausting and makes us doubt ourselves.
It’s not surprising that someone like this fears letting others down. When they break free, they can change their lives forever. They’ll be more comfortable with their judgment and no longer care what everyone around them thinks.
6. ‘You don’t need to share your opinion’
Some people are way too comfortable telling everyone else what they think. It’s as if they have no filter and need to give unsolicited advice.
Even though it bothers us, it can get inside our heads. Do they know better than us? Should we do something different? Maybe they are right, and we are wrong. This can leave us in a frustrating cycle of trusting others more than we trust ourselves.
When someone has reached their breaking point and is done explaining their every move, telling their know-it-all friend to keep their opinion to themselves feels like a victory. It might take hard work to get there, but once you are, what others think means nothing to you anymore.
7. ‘Okay’
If you’ve ever texted someone and they replied “okay,” you know how annoying it is. It feels like they’re shutting you down before the conversation begins. On the other hand, if you’ve been the one to say this phrase, you know it can feel empowering. It’s a sign you’re done trying to get through to them.
Using this in conversation can feel awkward. When you're used to explaining your every move, it feels bizarre to stop. Over-explaining comes from the need to please everyone around you. Once you close the door on this habit, you open one with confidence and self-esteem.
8. ‘Whatever’
When I was growing up, I was not allowed to say whatever as a full sentence. To my parents, it was a major sign of disrespect. To be honest, it is. When someone says this word to you, it can cut like a knife.
Being dismissed makes us question our worth. However, some people use this phrase to stand up for themselves. They’re done trying to please everyone around them and have begun putting their foot down.
Someone who says this may feel completely depleted. After hearing everyone’s opinions for so long, it can be liberating to shut them down with a single word. Sure, it’s not the kindest method, but it works.
9. ‘I’m done’
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How many times have you got caught up in a conversation you wish you hadn’t? This can happen when people are trying to talk you out of a decision. It’s their way of saying they have a problem with you.
It’s frustrating, but sometimes we feel like we have to listen. Going along with it can seem like the only solution. However, some get so sick of explaining themselves that they tell them they’re done. Point blank.
This can happen when someone is emotionally fed up. They’re mentally exhausted by trying to defend their opinions. They find themselves snapping at others and shutting them down at any chance they get.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
