Life is too short to spend it around people who make you feel bad about yourself. Whether it’s a romantic partner, friend, family member, or colleague, if someone consistently makes you feel inadequate, insecure, or unworthy, it might be time to re-evaluate the relationship.
1. Your dreams and aspirations
If someone belittles your goals or makes you feel foolish for pursuing your dreams, they’re not someone who has your best interests at heart. A supportive person will cheer you on, offer encouragement, and help you navigate the challenges along the way. Remember, your dreams are valid, and you deserve to chase them without fear of judgment or ridicule.
2. Your appearance
No one has the right to make you feel bad about your body, your clothes, or your overall appearance. If someone constantly criticizes your looks or makes you feel self-conscious, it’s a major red flag. A true friend or partner will appreciate you for who you are, not try to change you to fit their own standards of beauty. Besides, as Medical News Today points out, beauty standards are BS, anyway.
3. Your emotions
It’s okay to feel sad, angry, scared, or any other emotion. If someone invalidates your feelings or makes you feel like you’re overreacting, they’re not being a good listener or friend. A supportive person will acknowledge your emotions, validate your experiences, and offer a shoulder to lean on.
4. Your choices
Whether it’s your career path, your hobbies, or your relationship choices, you have the right to make your own decisions without being shamed or criticized. A person who truly cares about you will respect your choices, even if they don’t always agree with them.
5. Your boundaries
Everyone has the right to set boundaries, and it’s important to communicate them clearly and assertively. If someone repeatedly disregards your boundaries or makes you feel guilty for setting them, it’s a sign of disrespect. A healthy relationship involves mutual respect for each other’s limits and needs.
6. Your past mistakes
We all make mistakes, and it’s important to learn from them and move on. If someone constantly brings up your past mistakes or uses them to manipulate you, they’re not being a good friend. A supportive person will focus on your present and future, not hold your past against you.
7. Your accomplishments
If someone downplays your achievements or makes you feel like they’re not a big deal, it can be demoralizing. A true friend will celebrate your successes, big or small, and encourage you to keep striving for your goals.
8. Your values and beliefs
Your values and beliefs are a core part of who you are, and you shouldn’t have to compromise them to please someone else. If someone constantly tries to change your values or makes you feel like they’re wrong, it’s a sign of incompatibility. A healthy relationship involves accepting and respecting each other’s differences.
9. Your quirks and interests
Whether it’s your love of anime, your passion for birdwatching, or your quirky sense of humor, your unique interests are part of what makes you special. If someone mocks your hobbies or makes you feel like they’re not “cool” enough, they’re not someone who appreciates you for who you are. A true friend will embrace your quirks and encourage you to be your authentic self.
10. Your financial situation
Money can be a sensitive topic, and it’s not okay for someone to make you feel bad about your financial situation, whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or simply have different spending habits. A supportive person will respect your financial choices and offer help if needed, not judge you or make you feel inadequate.
11. Your family or friends
The people you choose to surround yourself with are important, and you shouldn’t have to apologize for them. If someone constantly criticizes your family or friends, or tries to isolate you from them, it’s a sign of controlling behavior. A healthy relationship involves respecting each other’s loved ones and social circles.
12. Your cultural background
Your cultural heritage is a part of your identity, and it should be celebrated, not ridiculed. If someone makes jokes about your culture, stereotypes your ethnicity, or makes you feel ashamed of your background, they’re not worth your time. A respectful person will appreciate your cultural differences and learn from them.
13. Your intelligence or abilities
Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and it’s not okay for someone to make you feel stupid or incompetent. Whether you’re struggling with a new skill or simply have a different learning style, a supportive person will offer encouragement and help you find ways to succeed.
14. Your mental health
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it’s not okay for someone to minimize your struggles or make you feel like you’re “crazy.” If you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, a compassionate person will listen without judgment, offer support, and encourage you to seek professional help if needed.
15. Your need for space or alone time
Everyone needs time to recharge and be alone with their thoughts. If someone makes you feel guilty for wanting some space or accuses you of not caring about them, they’re being needy and inconsiderate. A healthy relationship involves respecting each other’s need for independence and alone time.
16. Your sensitivity
As Psychology Today notes, being sensitive isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. It means you’re in tune with your emotions as well as other people’s. If someone calls you “too sensitive” or makes you feel like you need to toughen up, they’re not being empathetic or understanding. A supportive person will appreciate your sensitivity and create a safe space for you to express your feelings.
17. Your personal growth
We’re all constantly evolving and growing as people, and it’s important to have people in your life who support your journey. If someone makes you feel like you’re not changing fast enough, or that your growth isn’t good enough, they’re not being a positive influence. A true friend will celebrate your progress and encourage you to keep striving for self-improvement.
18. Your intuition or gut feelings
Your intuition is a powerful tool, and it’s important to trust your instincts. If someone constantly dismisses your gut feelings or makes you feel like you’re being paranoid, they’re not respecting your intuition. A good friend or partner will listen to your concerns and take them seriously.
19. Your right to say “no”
You don’t have to say “yes” to everything, and it’s okay to decline requests or invitations that don’t feel right. If someone makes you feel guilty or obligated to do something you don’t want to do, they’re not respecting your autonomy. A healthy relationship involves mutual respect for each other’s choices and decisions.
