Listen to your Gut

Have you ever had a natural instinct to walk away from a bad situation, or jump on a great opportunity, but you remain stagnant because you're fearful of the unknown? Sometimes our gut, or inner voice, sends us loud signals to venture forth on a path than we expect or hope for. It can be as valuable as Pinocchio's "Jiminy Cricket" and usually won't lead you astray if you really listen to what it's trying to tell you and realize that you gut is letting you know how a given situation may be in your best interest, even if you cannot understand why in the moment, or may tell you to leave a bad event, even if you want to stay.

Listen to your gut... see what it has to tell you... it's a stronger force than you might believe.

Respect Yourself First

Relationships are based on several simple principles: trust, honesty, love, and respect. However, there is an expectation that these principles are a given... that they are a right. With such thinking, it's easy to see why couples get into conflict so easily. They "demand" respect, trust and honesty, but these ideals aren't a given right... they need to be earned.

Why would anyone respect you if you're not willing to respect yourself first? If your partner is acting in a way that hurts you, tolerating the negative behavior only demonstrates to your partner that it's okay they treat you this way. The only way this unwanted behavior will cease is to demonstrate (not just talk about it) how you will not tolerate the behavior. In some cases, it may mean taking a stand and be willing to walk away from a relationship. But think about this... why would you want to remain in a relationship with someone who doesn't respect you?

Self-Respect -- How to Get it?

If you're struggling to get your partner to show you respect, then it may be time to take a look at yourself. If you're not respecting yourself, then what reason does your partner have to respect you? If you feel they talk down to you, ignore you or cause you hurtful feelings, then it's time to decide for yourself what you may be doing that allows your partner to demonstrate such behavior to you. I'm not saying you have control over your partner, but if you're engaging with your partner in some way that shows them you're okay with the way they are treating you, then they have no incentive to change.

Respect is earned. In order to get respect, respect yourself first and demonstrate a level of respect for your partner. In turn, they will have to give you respect if the relationship is worth maintaining.