Being taken for granted is one the most dreadful feelings in the world. Some may ignore this feeling and let it go, but in the long run, that hurts a lot more. For example, let’s say you have a best friend who you never left when he/she needed you…not even once. Then when everything’s ok, he/she seems to forget you. When problems come again, he/she comes back running to you. The cycle goes on and on, and you cat like you didn’t mind. But as the time goes by, you begin to feel that you’re beginning to be tired and one day - you just snapped. You and your friend had a big argument, and there it goes - friendship’s cracked.In a relationship, being taken for granted is one of the big spoilers. You show efforts in this and that, but your partner seems not to notice. Well, we can say that they may appreciate it, but sometimes - you just don’t feel it. But you love the person, so you go on and stay numb. Until one day, you got fed up. A lot of stories have been told about couples that went into separate ways, with being taken for granted as one of the reasons, aside from unresolved differences. Prevention is better than cure, as they say - especially in a relationship. You can’t just have a big conflict and resolve it with aspirin so everything will be ok after a few minutes. So here are some tips to help you prevent being taken for granted and how to react when you are:
Don’t get into a “take for granted” situation
You will be taken for granted in a relationship if you give the feeling that you are stuck with them or you cling too much to them. Take responsibility for your self-growth as well. You both want to be with each other all the time, but you have your own life to build. Don’t let the person rule over your life, or else you will be blinded of doing all things that you think will make them happy. Let yourself be recognized with your efforts.
Don’t give in too easily
Often people are taken for granted because from the start of the relationship, they just say yes to everything. They go do one thing or another, but then the list starts to build. Don’t let your partner assume that you can be walked over. Take the time at the beginning to set some ground rules. Don’t be rude and don’t refuse to do favors, but try not too make them too frequent.
Stop it right when it starts
The moment you start to have feelings that you are being taken for granted, you have to stop it. The longer you let the feelings pile up, the more time it will take to get over them and the bigger the blow up will be. Try to be mindful and responsive of your feelings early on so that the situation doesn’t escalate too far.
Talk about the issue
If there’s something that you see in what you do that’s being taken for granted, talk it over. Do not let it pass, and don’t be numb. Loving a person means not only sweet nothings and cheesiness, but also being open with talking over conflicts and faults, and to talk it over to have it resolved. Tell him/her what you feel towards what he/she does; tell them it’s not right. Let them know that you got upset, and talk on how it will be resolved. Be polite, tactful and diplomatic but speak out your mind. Tell people clearly what you feel. They will never take your feelings and emotions for granted.
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