Being taken advantage of is arguably one of the worst things that could ever happen to a person. Why? Well, when someone uses you, takes advantage of you or takes for granted the things that you have done for them, it can really mess with your head and make you feel as though you are not good enough and that there is something wrong with you. In actuality, however, it is most definitely not you; it’s them.
Katelyn Sweitzer, a sophomore studying integrated media at Ohio University, has been recently stressing out about a situation dealing with someone who has been seemingly and selfishly using her good character traits to their advantage.
“I think what upsets me the most about the situation that I am currently in is that I know that I could never use somebody that way that I’ve been used, which really baffles me,” Sweitzer said. “It just hurts knowing that someone has the capability of treating someone they supposedly care about so negatively.”
Being taken for granted is a different kind of stress, as it revolves around the amount of emotional anguish it can cause a person. Stress caused by schoolwork or balancing life’s daily schedule can be extremely overwhelming. Emotional stress caused by being mistreated, however, can sometimes be strong enough to cause a person to feel so empty that they question their own worth.
While the kind of stress caused by being hurt by somebody you care about is never easy to get over, and in some situations may never completely go away, there are methods that one can use to cope with such affliction.
In any situation of distress, and especially one involving another person who is causing you pain, one of the best things a person can do is surround themselves with people who care about them and that they know they can trust. Encompassing oneself with quality friends and family members can not only help them to take their mind off of whoever is hurting them, but also provides them with a solid support system that they are able to fall back on whenever life gets a little tough. Then, if you ever need to talk to anyone for advice or even just to vent, you are able to confidently say that you have an insanely wonderful group of people standing behind you.
In a situation such as this, it is very important that you learn to distance yourself from the person who has hurt you so much. Let’s be honest, moving on from someone you care about, whether it be a romantic relationship, friendship or whatever, is never an easy thing to do. In fact, it is a difficult thing to do because when we really care about someone that much, no matter how much they hurt us, we constantly find reasons to hold on to the idea of them changing, which makes letting them go even harder.
Just because somebody hurts you does not mean they can’t change, and I do believe in second chances because we all mess up sometimes; however, you’ve got to look out for yourself and your own well-being first. Just as in any other kind of stressful situation, you are never, and will never be alone in your feelings.
Caring about others is important, and if the people in your life care for and appreciate you just as much, it can be very rewarding. Just don’t forget how important you are, and do not forget to care about yourself.
Bri Shaniuk is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. How do you build up your own self-confidence? Let Bri know by emailing her at bs714714@ohio.edu.
