#i'm not a doormat or a pushover just because i refuse to sink down to their level

[wiitzend]

i hate when people take their problems out on me or are just generally unpleasant and when i actively choose to still be nice everyone takes that as a sign that i’m weak or submissive or a pushover and it’s like!! no?? i can still be nice and helpful and stick up for myself?? i can still ask for respect and set boundaries and be firm while still speaking softly and being kind. the two aren’t mutually exclusive! if i set my boundaries and people are still mean?? you know what i can do?? i can still be nice! i can still be friendly! because i know that whatever they’re going through has nothing to do with me. that’s a personal problem that they’re just going to have to get over, but i’m not going to let that disrupt my peace or cause me to act out of character. i’m not going to internalize that energy or become a mean and miserable person just because other people are. it’s just not worth it.