Stop 5 Habits to Stop Getting Used By Others.

This is very unfortunate but true that we find situations where we feel that we are being used by others. Whether it’s in personal relationships, friendships, or the professional area, being used by others makes us feel powerless. Today in this article, we will share 5 tips to stop getting used by others.

1. Stop “People-Pleasing Behavior”: Doing good for others is undoubtedly a good practice, but pleasing people at the expense of personal well-being and boundaries is a HUGE mistake. If you are a chronic pleaser, meaning you always say yes to everyone even when it inconveniences you, this pattern of behavior will create a dynamic where people will start having expectations of you. And your practice of pleasing others will start to affect your personal life without you realizing it. When you start to realize it, it will become very tough for you because habits don’t change overnight.
2. Stop Over-Forgiving: Forgiveness is a positive trait. But if you keep forgiving anyone over and over, that is no longer considered a positive trait. The person who you are forgiving repeatedly can consider your kindness as your weakness and use it against you. They start thinking that no matter what, you will accept them and eventually forgive them. Remember, your act of forgiveness should have a boundary. By over-forgiving, you are only maximizing that boundary. Forgiveness should not come at the expense of self-respect.
3. Acknowledge Your Weak Boundaries: Your weak boundaries will make you susceptible to manipulation, exploitation, and feeling overwhelmed by others’ demands. Your first step should be to identify your weak boundaries. You should determine how you allow others to treat you and what your limits are. Don’t let people cross that boundary and also don’t expand the boundary for anyone, no matter how intimate they are. You can set boundaries depending on people and you should maintain that ENDLINE very strictly.
4. Wanting to Save/Fix Everyone: This is a serious problem for empathetic people. Empaths consider other people’s problems as their own and fight them as their own. When someone is driven by the desire to fix other people’s problems, they disregard their boundaries and well-being in that process. The tendency of prioritizing others’ needs over your own will lead to self-sacrifice. The belief that you can fix everyone creates a heavy burden of responsibility. You may feel guilty if you fail to fix the problem. Continuing this loop will lead you to burnout in the end at the sacrifice of your self-importance.
5. Trusting Words Easily Instead of Actions: Relying solely on words is problematic. People with ulterior motives make promises to gain trust. And trusting words without verifying them through action mostly leads to betrayal, disappointment, and exploitation when those words are not kept. Words are easy to manipulate but action needs effort and commitment. A person who is in the practice of using others offers excuses and explanations to justify their behavior, where their actions tell a completely different story. Keep in mind that action speaks louder than words and consistent behavior over time reveals a person’s true identity.

Breaking from the cycle of getting used can’t be solved overnight. It will take consistency, effort, time, and self-awareness. You should cultivate the habit of maintaining your own boundaries, self-respect, saying no, prioritizing self-care, and evaluating behavior and actions. Remember, you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Don’t settle for anything less.