The Diary Of A Creative Boy

3

It’s so obvious to everyone around me, yet I let it happen. Day after day, I put up with their crap, turning a blind eye and brushing it off as if it doesn’t matter. But deep down, it does. It hurts, and it’s time I talk about it.

Let’s be real. Letting people walk all over me isn’t a sign of strength. It’s not about being the bigger person or showing kindness. It’s about self-respect. When I allow someone to use me, I’m sending a message not just to them but to myself that I’m not worth fighting for. And that’s a lie. I am worth fighting for.

Maybe I’m scared. Scared of confrontation, scared of losing people, scared of what might happen if I finally say "enough." That fear is valid. But here’s the thing: the pain of staying in this cycle of constantly being taken advantage of will eventually outweigh the fear of change.

I get it. I don’t want to rock the boat. I don’t want to seem difficult or ungrateful. But what about my own happiness? What about my own peace of mind? Turning a blind eye might seem easier in the short term, but in the long run, it chips away at my self-esteem, my confidence, my very sense of self. It’s not a good feeling, and it sure as hell isn’t healthy.

Standing up for myself doesn’t mean I have to be confrontational or aggressive. It means setting boundaries. It means recognizing my own worth and demanding the respect I deserve. It means saying “no” when I need to and not feeling guilty about it. It means putting myself first sometimes because I can’t pour from an empty cup.

Think about the people in my life who genuinely care about me. The ones who support me, who respect me, who lift me up. They want to see me happy, thriving, and confident. They don’t want to see me being used and mistreated. And deep down, I don’t want that either.

So, what can I do? Start small. Identify the ways in which I’m being used, and think about how I can address them. Have a conversation, set a boundary, or simply start saying “no.” It’ll feel uncomfortable at first, but that’s okay. Growth is uncomfortable. Change is uncomfortable. But it’s necessary.

I’m not alone in this. Many people have been where I am, feeling trapped and undervalued. But they made it out. They stood up for themselves, and their lives improved. Mine can too. It’s time to stop letting others dictate my worth. It’s time to reclaim my power.

I deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. I deserve to be happy. And it starts with me. It starts with standing up for myself. So, I’ll take a deep breath, summon my courage, and take that first step. I’ve got this.