The Importance of Being Assertive

Up until now, I thought being sensitive was a sign of weakness. I am a sensitive person who does hurt quickly (as compared to others), and often end up making amends too soon. I was chided for being too sensitive at some point by good friends and...at workplace it became my weakness. I realised much later that people believe that if you're a nice person... you're actually stupid. And it doesn't stop them from taking you for a ride, quite easily I must say!

What others may not know I was able to see right through them, and still do. I never acknowledged this to them. Why? I still don't know. But whenever I've tried to, it's resulted in some difficult positions at work which made me anxious and stressed. So, I did my best to focus on my job and not engage in useless banter. Unfortunately, such things don't work in one's favour, but quite against it.  

So, while people expressed their opinions quite openly, I buried them, or expressed them to family, where it wasn't much of help. In this whole process, I was only hurting myself, the only person that mattered in the world. 

I've cut off from many people this way. I don't regret it. But I don't find any reason to have such a person in my life, who doesn't value relationships. I am learning to be assertive again, I believe I was one in my teens. 

Being assertive doesn't mean you're rude. You're putting yourself first and there's nothing wrong with that. Being a good person doesn't mean that you're ready to take on someone's shit. 

I am nice, but this gives no one in the world to take me for granted. If you still do, you'll be the one to miss me. Never make your good nature or politeness an excuse for others to pull you down. I genuinely believe, deep down, everyone has a heart. No one is bad to begin with. But I also know now, how to mind my boundaries!