Sometimes, we push people away without even realizing it. Other times, we do it consciously, but then regret it later on. While the ways in which you push people away may differ from person to person, there are some less-than-ideal behaviors that are sure to lead to some distances. Here are some of the ways in which many of us push people away:
1. Having low self-esteem.
Constantly feeling bad about yourself eventually leads to others viewing you in the same light. As mentioned above, if you feel that seeing a professional would be beneficial, you should absolutely look into that. If you don’t feel that you need to do this, consider thinking long and hard about your problems and try to make a change. Your friends love you for many reasons, so don’t give them a reason to forget about those things and focus on the negatives. Even though having low self-esteem can feel like a very personal matter that shouldn’t affect your relationship with others, it absolutely does.
2. Not talking.
If you’re hanging out with a group of friends and you’re sitting in a corner not speaking to anyone, you give off a vibe that people should leave you alone. While it can be hard to realize, this definitely pushes people away. Don’t rely on others’ pity or charity. Get up and talk to people! It’s much more rewarding, and will certainly do the opposite of pushing people away. If anything, it will bring you closer together with your friends!
3. Not listening.
If your friend comes to you with a problem, try to listen and help him or her out. It pushes people away when they think they can’t come to you for advice or support, so try to listen and be engaged when speaking to others. This is a simple thing to fix, and doing so will make your relationships much stronger and more rewarding for everyone involved. After all, if you listen, others will listen to you. You’re being a good friend, and down the line when you need advice, your friends will be there to support you.
4. Making everything about you.
Life isn’t fair, and things don’t always go your way. But when you act like every little thing is about you, it makes people want to spend less time with you. Try to look at things from others’ perspectives and to remove yourself from the situation. Chances are, people aren’t actually talking about you negatively as much as you think they are.
5. Complaining too much.
Every now and then, a good venting session can be great. However, if you’re constantly whining about something, it can really push people away. After all, they have their own problems to deal with. If you feel like you really need someone there for you, consider consulting a professional to get the help that you need. Otherwise, don’t burden your friends with too many of your problems. It’s tempting to complain, and it can feel good to do so, but in the long run it will only make you miserable and your friends even more miserable. The only thing worse than having things to constantly complain about is listening to these constant complaints.
6. Acting accusatory.
If you’re accusing someone of doing something, and you do that often, it’s going to alienate that person. No one wants to feel as if they’re being accused of anything, so try not to do so. If you feel that you need to confront someone about something, try rephrasing your words. For example, instead of saying, “You never clean the kitchen,” say, “I feel like I’m usually the one cleaning the kitchen. Could you help me next time?” The second version says the same thing, but is much less accusatory.
Featured photo credit: Andree Ludtke via flickr.com
