Don't Break These Life Rules For Anyone
I am ashamed to admit it, but I will do it anyway.
I had a bad habit of judging people when I was younger.
I would see someone and immediately form an opinion based on their appearance or what I knew about them from others.
As a result, I missed out on a lot of great relationships. I would never talk to someone if I knew they were mean, and I would always be quick to make assumptions without getting to know them first.
It wasn’t until I got a little older that I realized how foolish I was.
We all make mistakes, but there are some things you should never do-especially if you want to maintain healthy, meaningful relationships with the people in your life.
In my last letter, I shared 7 life rules worth breaking. (In case you missed it, you read it here:
Today, I share some life rules you should never break for anyone.
#1. Disrespecting Yourself
I never understood why my mom always told me, “Don’t change who you are to be socially accepted. “
I always saw other people breaking this rule, and I thought that if they could do it, so could I.
But now I realize that she was always right.
Disrespecting yourself is one of the quickest ways to lose sight of who you are and what you deserve.
Disrespecting yourself means:
Not following your heart
Saying yes to others by saying NO yourself
Hanging out with people who don’t make you feel good about yourself
Not listening to your intuition
Doing things that you know are wrong or bad for you, but you do it anyway
Breaking this rule will only lead you to unhappiness, lower self-esteem, and self-doubt.
Once you get trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and self-loathing, it’s much harder to find the strength to stand up for yourself. It took me many counseling sessions to restore my faith in myself.
That’s why believe that you are unique. Not wrong. It’s the foundation upon which all other forms of self-care and self-respect must be built.
People see you the way you see yourself.
If you don’t hold your ground, people can’t trust you.
#2. Letting Others Use You
Have you ever had a friend who would only call you when they needed something?
Or a family member who would only visit when they were in town and needed a place to stay?
We’ve all been there. And it sucks.
Being taken advantage of can make you feel used, unimportant, and like your time and energy are never good enough.
It’s important to remember that you are not responsible for other people’s happiness — that’s their job.
You are only responsible for your own happiness. And you deserve to be surrounded by people who make you feel good, not bad.
Some signs that you are being taken advantage of include:
People always asking for favors but never returning the favor
People who are always canceling plans at the last minute
People who only want to spend time with you when it’s convenient for them
People who make you feel guilty when you prioritize yourself
But…but…but…it’s okay to put yourself first.
It’s okay to say “no” to people. It’s even okay to end relationships that are no longer serving you.
You have a right to your time, energy, and resources. And you should never feel guilty about taking care of yourself first.
#3. Throwing Away Your Time, Even if You’re Idle and Available
How often have you said committed to something — even though you didn’t want to do it — because you didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings?
Or because you felt like you had to?
We all do.
But, it’s important to remember that your time is just as valuable as anyone else’s. And you should never feel guilty about saying “no” to something you don’t want to do.
Some signs that you are overcommitting yourself include:
Feeling like you never have enough time for yourself
Constantly being stressed out and overwhelmed
Putting your own needs last
Not having time for your hobbies or interests
If you find yourself in a situation where you are overcommitted, it’s important to take a step back and reassess your priorities.
Remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup.
You have to take care of yourself first to take care of others.
#4. Succumbing to Manipulative Affection
Manipulation is a form of emotional blackmail.
It’s when someone tries to control you by making you feel guilty, ashamed, or obligated.
Some common manipulative phrases include:
“If you loved me, you would…”
“You owe me because I…”
“I can’t believe you would do this to me after all I’ve done for you.”
Manipulation is toxic behavior that can damage relationships and leave both parties feeling hurt, resentful, and manipulated.
If you find yourself in a manipulative relationship, it’s important to get out as soon as possible.
Manipulations serve no one.
If you enjoyed reading this letter, I have some requests:
Consider sharing this letter with your friends and family.
“PLEASE” share what you think about today’s letter.
Thanks once again!
See ya next time!
Lots of love,
Darshak
P.S:
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Let’s break all the barriers!