Alright, so today I wanted to share some thoughts, something I’ve really been mulling over and, frankly, learned through a bit of a rough patch. It’s about this thing called respect, especially when it comes to the people we deal with, you know? Our relationships, whether it’s with friends, family, or even folks at work.
I used to be a bit too easygoing, I guess. Or maybe I just didn’t want to rock the boat. I’d let things slide, little comments here, actions there. Figured, ah, that’s just how they are, or maybe I’m being too sensitive. But then, I had this one experience, a real eye-opener.
There was this person, someone I considered a pretty close friend for a good while. We’d hang out, chat, the usual stuff. But over time, I started to feel… well, drained. It was always about them. Their problems, their achievements, their plans. When I tried to share something about my life, it felt like I was talking to a wall, or they’d quickly turn the conversation back to themselves. Little digs too, disguised as jokes, but they’d sting, you know?
I remember one time pretty vividly. I was going through a tough spot, really needed someone to just listen. I reached out, laid things bare. And the response? A quick “Oh, that’s rough,” and then, bam, right back to their own drama, which, honestly, felt so trivial in comparison at that moment. That was a real punch to the gut. It made me stop and think, really think.
So, I started to pull back a bit. Not in a dramatic way, just stopped being so available, stopped initiating contact all the time. I wanted to see what would happen. And guess what? Crickets. It was like I’d just vanished from their radar because I wasn’t serving their purpose anymore. That hurt, but it was also incredibly clarifying.
What I Figured Out
It took me a while to process, to not feel bitter about it. But I eventually landed on a few things that have really stuck with me:
- True respect is a two-way street. It’s not just about being polite; it’s about valuing the other person’s feelings, time, and experiences as much as your own.
- You teach people how to treat you. If you constantly let disrespect slide, you’re basically saying it’s okay. I learned I had to set boundaries.
- Sometimes, walking away is the most respectful thing you can do for yourself. Clinging onto a relationship that consistently makes you feel small isn’t loyalty; it’s self-neglect.
I started to actively practice this. I began paying more attention to how people made me feel. Did I feel heard? Valued? Or did I feel like an afterthought? It wasn’t about being confrontational all the time, but more about being aware and making choices that were right for me.
And you know what? It made a huge difference. My circle might be a bit smaller now, but it’s genuine. The people I have around me now, there’s a mutual give and take. We listen, we support, and yeah, we respect each other. It’s not always perfect, no relationship is, but the foundation is solid.
So, that’s my journey with it. I had to learn to value my own peace and well-being enough to expect respect, and to give it genuinely in return. It’s an ongoing practice, for sure, but man, it’s worth it. You really gotta stand up for your own worth. Nobody else is gonna do it for you, not really.
