Keep Your Baggage To Yourself

I know very well that they say we are the ones responsible for how other people treat us. We decide to let it happen and accept it or move on and away from it. But there’s more to it than that.

Admittedly, I have struggled with this throughout my life. I have often given too many second chances and accepted too many empty apologies for bad behaviour and treatment. I reasoned that I could still see and appreciate the good things about the person. Nobody is ever all bad. However, in reality, some people suck.

The prevailing opinion is that if you are a positive person, then you will attract more positive people. May I strongly suggest that this view is crap. Contrary, self-centred, needy people have an innate radar for caring positive people and flock to them like seagulls. Someone who lives in a world of negativity loves nothing more than to be coddled and also pull others down with them. And to top it off these same people will never change.

This leaching has happened to me repeatedly, and I’m feeling the strain. But thankfully I am finally starting to see the pattern and learning how to avoid it.

I’m becoming way less intolerant of letting myself be used in this way. I’m getting less willing to be other people’s dumping grounds for their baggage. Fortunately, I am happy to realize this awakening and it’s better late than never.

Originally posted 2015.