Member-only story
What to Do When Your Time and Resources Are Being Taken Advantage of
Now and then, I feel swallowed by the selfish tactics of energy vampires. More than that, I am perplexed by the assumption that my time and resources are free to take for whoever wants them. The entitled mindset of those close to me and even those I don’t know well at all leave me wondering why these vultures act so that I owe them something.
It’s an annoying feeling: the aftermath. If you’re a kind, talented, bright, and giving person, it’s pretty standard for people to be drawn to you for the taking. That doesn’t mean you should continue to allow it though.
When people take advantage of you, it can irritate you, leading to angry outbursts or internal anger at yourself (and them); two, make you feel hopeless, reinforcing the false perception that you don’t deserve respect; or three, encourage you to act assertively and stand up for yourself.
Because you’re polite and want to please others, you’re likely a naturally helpful person who sometimes allows others to take advantage of you. Stop this cycle; it’s destroying your self-esteem. You can still be kind while setting and maintaining firm boundaries. Learn to place as much value on your schedule and plans as you do on others.
