I’ve been away for a while, extremely focused, locked in more than ever but I’ve run into some tests the past few days. One of them today was receiving a random text from my ex (who I haven’t talked to in months). She did her best to make it an emotionally charged conversation (insulting my character etc) just to get a reaction out of me but even though I was getting triggered, I held my frame. Then I broke down what motives could someone have to do something like this and maybe what I got could be helpful to one of you. 1. They're dysregulated They're feeling lonely, rejected, insecure, or threatened by your progress. Instead of processing that internally, they externalize it — poke the bear and see if it moves. 2. They want an emotional hit Any reaction from you (anger, defense, explanation, even kindness) gives them a dopamine spike: | "I still matter. I can still affect him." Silence is painful. Reaction is soothing. 1. They're trying to flip the power dynamic If you've grown, detached, or moved on, that creates an imbalance. Insults are a crude attempt to pull you back into the old emotional frame where they felt in control. 2. Projection A lot of the insult is actually self-talk they can't tolerate hearing in their own head. If you break down whats ACTUALLY happening in times like that (someone trying to get under your skin), you become almost psychologically impervious. Have a good day ya’ll🙌🏼