Every relationship we build with people is pretty much reflected by our previously established bond with our true self. If you learn to respect yourself and treat your body and mind properly, others will respect you as well.
It is amazing, yet scary how almost everything that happens in our life depends on us. We are the ones who create the image we wish to present in front of people. So, by listening to our inner feelings, emotions, and thoughts, we become more intimate with ourselves and eventually comfortable in our own skin.
Unfortunately, most of the people have a hard time accepting some parts of their genuine nature. They resist to embrace their flaws, they’re ashamed of their darkest parts and hate their ‘weirdness’.
Eventually, their (un)intentional, masochistic behavior leads to self-doubt, self-hatred, lack of confidence and disrespect.
Here are some important signals that indicate you’re disrespectful towards your true self you should never avoid:
1. YOU ARE JUDGEMENTAL
Bear in mind that every time you lash out at someone behind their back or to their face, it is only because some part of their personality made you see yourself in them.
It is a universal truth that the things we hate in others are usually the same things we dislike about ourselves. It is called “the mirror effect”. We can only be triggered by something we already experienced. Because it is easier for us to point a finger, then to face ourselves.
2. YOU KEEP SEEKING VALIDATION FROM PEOPLE
One of the most disrespectful things you can do to yourself is asking people for validation. Nobody has the right to decide for yourself. No one has the power to meddle with your life.
Stop asking for a permission to do something with your life. It is yours.
3. YOU ARE THE LAST ONE ON YOUR PRIORITY LIST
Doing things and caring for the people you love produces a beautiful feeling, I know. But, that doesn’t mean that you should put yourself last.
Make sure to be the NO.1 on your priority list. And no, it is not selfish at all. We have another word for it. It is called self-care.
4. YOU KEEP DOING THINGS YOU DON’T ENJOY
Whether it’s a job, relationships, lifestyle or even a workout, suffering by doing the things you hate is no way to treat yourself.
No one will ever say “thank you”. You are just punishing yourself. And what’s worse, this kind of masochistic behavior can ultimately cause severe, mental and emotional conditions.
5. YOU’RE ANGRY
There are thousands of reasons why a person develops an anger. You can be angry with your parents, mad at your brother (for whatever reason), angry with your partner, pissed at your boss or angry with yourself.
Anger is a sign that you aren’t satisfied with the current state. Make some changes. It might be just the thing you need.
6. YOU ALLOW OTHERS TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE
“Can you remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?” -Danielle LaPorte
We arrive in this world as a ‘tabula rasa’ (a blank page) and slowly become the people we’re today. However, on the journey of self-knowing and growing, everything influences us in a certain way.
While this is a truly inevitable process, it is essential to learn how to preserve our genuine nature. We need to respect ourselves enough to never let other people define our world.
7. YOU CAUGHT YOURSELF USING WHITE LIES
Don’t try to impress someone by presenting a fake picture of yourself. Don’t lie to them just so they like you. Because eventually you’ll get busted. And when that happens, you’ll lose your integrity forever. You’ll be just another sham in their eyes.
8. YOU HIDE YOUR TRUE EMOTIONS
If you want to scream, then shout from the top of the roofs. If you feel like crying, cry your heart out. If you want to express your love, for the love of god, DO IT, with all of your heart.
Hiding your feelings because of what people might say is a stupid excuse. And it is also disrespectful towards yourself.
Be unapologetically yourself. You are all you got.
9. YOU ARE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF
I believe that the things we call mistakes are just a way of growing and evolving. Everything turned out just the way it supposed to be, so we could learn our lesson.
There should be no regrets, no mistakes, and no tears when this two come to visit us. They are just parts of the process.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Accept the consequences, get up and keep moving.
10. YOU KEEP ADDING WATER IN YOUR OVERFLOWN GLASS
When you see a glass full of water, you stop pouring. Otherwise, the glass will overflow and then you’ll be left with a huge mess on your hands.
The same goes with emotions. Respect yourself enough to put a stop when something becomes unbearable. You should never have to suffer in order to make someone happy. That is not love.
11. YOU AREN’T FOLLOWING WHAT YOUR HEART SAYS
It’s truly sad to see how people nowadays prefer to shut their hearts and let their rational mind speak for themselves. Logical reasoning is something we all use and depend on it. However, our heart speaks with emotions. It has the power to manifest the depths of our souls.
Our rational mind believes in doing what is generally accepted as righteous and ethical.
The heart believes in passion. Raw emotions. Untamed feelings. It has no limits.
And sadly, people are afraid to let it speak. They fear a potential heartbreak. A disappointment.
But, little do they know that the only way to respect our authenticity is by first listening to our hearts.
12. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN’T TRUST YOUR GUT
Intuition is one of the most powerful weapons humans possess. We all have it, still, not all of us know how to use it. Most of the people just choose to silence that little, inner voice, because sometimes they’re too afraid to hear the ugly truth.
We desperately try to create an illusion that suits us better than the truth. However, the truth will always find its way back and strike us when we least expect it.
13. YOU LET OTHERS CONTROL YOU
And maybe the surest sign you’ve started disrespecting yourself is when you let others control you, especially toxic individuals who consider your weakness a food for their egos.
Get out of that harmful, vicious cycle once and for all. Don’t let others create your destiny. You are the only person who is responsible for your life. Make it a good one.
