The Shocking Truth About Self-Sacrifice: Are You Mistaking It for Kindness Without Even Knowing?
5) You tolerate behavior you shouldn’t
I used to make excuses for people’s behavior all the time.
If someone canceled plans last minute, I told myself they must be really busy. If a friend only reached out when they needed something, I convinced myself they still cared. Even when someone spoke to me in a way that felt disrespectful, I brushed it off—I didn’t want to overreact or make things awkward.
But over time, I realized kindness shouldn’t mean accepting less than I deserve. Letting things slide didn’t make me a better person; it just taught people that I would put up with anything. Respect goes both ways, and being kind doesn’t mean ignoring when someone isn’t treating you right.
