People only take advantage of you if you allow them to take advantage of you. Being kind doesn’t mean getting walked all over. So, I’ve always believed, and you’ve heard this before, but people treat us the way we teach them to treat us.
If people are walking all over you and taking advantage of you, it’s because you’re not setting any boundaries. Perhaps it’s because you don’t know how to communicate your needs. So they do something, and then it hurts you, but you don’t feel brave enough to speak up.
Do you know how many people on the planet basically don’t speak up because they’re too afraid of losing the relationship or not being liked? You’ve got to speak up, do it in a respectful way, but say, “You know what? Hey, when you did this, it made me feel like this. And I’d so appreciate if you would treat me like this.”
So, just remember, people treat you the way you teach them how to treat you. And look at your relationships, if you’re around takers it’s because you’ve allowed yourself to be surrounded by takers. I really believe most people are good. They don’t know that they’re making you feel that way. Take the time to communicate it.