January 2009

One of the worst things you can do for yourself is to allow people -friends and family included- to walk all over and use you for their own benefit, while never returning the favor.  Unfortunately, single women tend to fall into this pattern more than others,  since 'single' is so often interpreted as meaning 'I have no life', 'I have plenty of extra time on my hands' and 'I need to do things for other people to bring meaning to my life.'  Even more unfortunate is that every time a single woman lets herself be treated like a doormat, she is perpetuating this myth- as well as doing herself a huge disservice.

So what can you do to stop loved ones, friends and co-workers from taking advantage of you?

Be more assertive.
For those of you who have been suffering from doormat syndrome for a long time, let me stress that saying 'no' does not make you a bad friend/neighbour/relative/person.  If their request is unreasonable then politely refusing is not. It's important to learn how to say the word "NO".  Repeat the word to yourself; practice it in the mirror, and then when others ask something from you you will find the word easier to say.

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