If you asked me a few years ago if I knew how to set boundaries for myself, I would have replied, ‘Boundaries? What boundaries?’
TRUTHFULLY, I WASN’T THE GREATEST AT SETTING BOUNDARIES BUT NOW I FIND THEM NECESSARY. WHAT IS ALSO NECESSARY IS DISTANCING YOURSELF FROM TOXIC PEOPLE.
This article is inspired by a meme that I saw on Instagram that quotes Dwayne Johnson on the type of people that we should distance ourselves from:
1. People who lie to you.
Like we were told when we were young kids, ‘A liar is a thief and a thief is a liar’. This may sound a bit exaggerated, however, you can’t trust people who lie to you.
To avoid conflict and issues in your life, distance yourself from people who lie to you because you won’t be able to trust them. And, what good is a relationship that doesn’t have trust?
2. People who disrespect you.
Like my mother always used to tell me, ‘Every doormat says welcome’. That saying has stayed with me everyday of my life. When we allow people to disrespect us, we are responsible too.
To protect yourself from disrespectful behaviour, distance yourself from disrespectful people because only you can stand up for yourself.
3. People who use you.
We all have people in our lives who like to push our buttons, harass us for money or feel entitled to our time. Well, it’s time for you to distance yourself from them.
It is not always your problem when people find themselves in a bind. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t help but don’t become someone’s crutch, you deserve better than that.
4. People who put you down.
Unfortunately insecure, mean and unfriendly people exist. But that doesn’t mean that you have to be friends with them. You deserve to be surrounded by people who support, appreciate and acknowledge you; not people who put you down.
If you hang around people who call you names, disrespect you or treat you badly, you will soon do the same to yourself.