Passive, Aggressive, Passive Aggressive, or Assertive?
A friend pressures you to do something uncomfortable, and you say, “No, I’m not okay with that.”
What is assertive?
You tell the truth even though it might get you in trouble.
What is honesty?
I failed one test, so I’m stupid
Example: I had a bad test, but that doesn’t define my intelligence.
Your stomach drops when the teacher says, “Pop quiz.”
What is anxiety/nervousness?
Inhale and exhale
What is deep breathing?
You say, “I understand your point, but I see it differently, and here’s why.”
What is assertive?
You practice basketball every day because improving matters to you.
What is dedication/growth?
I always mess everything up.
Example: I make mistakes sometimes, but not all the time.
You score the winning point in a game.
What is excitement/pride?
Talking to a trusted friend, parent, or counselor.
What is seeking support?
Instead of telling your friend you’re upset, you start giving one-word answers and hoping they figure it out.
What is passive?
You include the new student sitting alone at lunch.
What is kindness/inclusion?
Nobody likes me.
Example: I may feel left out right now, but that doesn’t mean nobody likes me.
You move to a new school and don’t know anyone
What is loneliness/anxiety?
Notice things you see, things you feel, things you hear… Whats the rest?
What is taste and smell?
You publicly call someone out to embarrass them instead of addressing the issue privately and respectfully.
What is aggressive?
You apologize after hurting someone’s feelings
What is accountability/responsibility?
If I’m anxious during this presentation, everyone will laugh at me
Example: I might feel nervous, and that’s okay—most people probably understand.
Your friend gets chosen for something you wanted, and while you’re happy for them, part of you feels upset and irritated too.
What is jealousy/envy?
Replacing “I can’t do this” with “This is hard, but I can try.”
Challenging negative thoughts/positive self-talk/cognitive reframing
You say, “Fine. Do whatever you want,” when you’re clearly upset but refuse to explain why.
What is passive-aggressive?
You say no to peer pressure because being true to yourself matters.
What is authenticity/integrity?
My friend didn’t text back, so they must be mad at me.
Example: There could be lots of reasons they haven’t replied.
You worked really hard on something, but nobody notices or acknowledges it, and now you feel emotionally drained and unmotivated.
What is disappointment/frustration?
Instead of sending an angry text immediately, you put your phone down and wait until your emotions settle before responding.
What is impulse control/urge surfing/pausing before reacting?