Minimizing

Minimizing is a denial strategy. Minimizing means creating an illusion (telling myself a particular storyline), to lessen or make less significant the reality of the outcome or situation. I don’t want to face the Truth or Reality in front of me (of the choices I’ve made, how I’ve affected someone, or how I’ve been affected by someone else or myself), and so I create alternate versions of the storyline that don’t include the weight of the offense. I tell myself things like, “It wasn’t that big of a deal,” “They/I deserved it,” “It wasn’t my fault,” “They’ll get over it,” “It doesn’t matter,” “It could have been worse,” “They’re over-reacting,” “Why are you/they so upset with me?” etc.