Skip to main content

Featured

The Story of My Life: Surviving Abuse, Addiction, and Finding Strength

I met him when I was 20. He was 22—young, charismatic, and full of energy. But there was something off about him. I should have seen the signs, but I didn’t. Or maybe I didn’t want to. The first red flag wasn’t so much a red flag—it was a disaster. He got so drunk one night, he shat himself. His parents had to come and clean him up. At the time, I told myself it was a one-off—a fluke, something that wouldn’t happen again. But deep down, I think I knew it wasn’t. Six months later, we moved in together. And that was the beginning of my nightmare. He’d disappear for days at a time—walking along train tracks, lost in a drunken haze, not even able to remember how he got there. He wouldn’t come home until 3 AM, and sometimes he wouldn’t come home at all. And when I found out I was pregnant, the chaos only intensified. I started hiding the keys to his motorbike because I knew he’d try to ride it, drunk as a skunk. If I didn’t hide them, he would get violent. He would try to punch me...

How to heal yourself

 Stopping someone from disrespecting you requires assertiveness, setting boundaries, and taking appropriate action. Here are some steps you can take:


1. Recognize and acknowledge the disrespect: Be aware of the disrespectful behavior and recognize that it is not acceptable. Understand that you deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.


2. Stay calm and composed: When faced with disrespect, it's important to remain calm and composed. Take deep breaths, regulate your emotions, and avoid responding with anger or aggression. Maintaining your composure will help you address the situation more effectively.


3. Set clear boundaries: Clearly communicate your boundaries and expectations to the person disrespecting you. Use assertive language and "I" statements to express how their behavior is impacting you. For example, say, "I feel disrespected when you speak to me in that tone. I expect to be treated with respect."


4. Be assertive in your response: Respond assertively to the disrespectful behavior. Clearly and confidently express your feelings and assert your rights. Use a firm tone of voice and maintain eye contact. Avoid becoming defensive or aggressive, as this may escalate the situation.


5. Walk away or disengage: If the disrespect continues despite your assertiveness, it may be necessary to disengage from the person or situation. Remove yourself from the conversation or environment if it becomes toxic or harmful. Sometimes, walking away can send a strong message that you will not tolerate disrespect.


6. Seek support from others: Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or colleagues for support and advice. Share your experiences and seek their perspective on how to handle the situation. They may provide valuable insights or suggestions.


7. Document incidents: If the disrespect persists or escalates, it's important to document incidents. Keep a record of dates, times, and details of the disrespectful behavior. This documentation can be useful if you need to report the behavior to a supervisor, HR department, or authority figure.


8. Seek assistance from higher authorities: If the disrespect continues despite your efforts, consider involving higher authorities, such as a supervisor, HR representative, or mediator. They can help address the situation and enforce appropriate consequences for the disrespectful behavior.


9. Prioritize your well-being: Remember that your well-being is paramount. If the disrespect becomes a recurring issue and affects your mental or emotional health, consider removing yourself from the situation or seeking professional support, such as therapy or counseling.


It's important to remember that you cannot control someone else's behavior, but you can control how you respond and set boundaries. By asserting yourself and taking appropriate action, you can work towards stopping someone from disrespecting you.

Comments