Conflict is normal — and some of it is actually healthy. Small issues pile up, and sometimes conflict brings out truths that needed to be said. But conflict always comes with a cost, and people often fight unfair with those closest to them.

Shift your thinking: stop looking for the "right" answer.

You can never truly know if a decision was right because you will never know what the other choice would have produced. Instead, ask: "What is the better play here?"

Sometimes the better play is simply doing less damage. Not making things worse is a real win.

Watch out for self-sabotage:

• When things go badly, we pile on extra negative thoughts
• We create long lists of problems to explain why we feel bad
• This is just a bad habit — not the truth

How to interrupt it:

• Bite your tongue when you notice the pile-on starting
• Use a physical reminder like a squeeze toy
• The earlier you catch it, the easier it gets to stop