During an argument with someone, people will constantly advise you to “be the bigger person.” It always seems like the most mature thing to do. However, sometimes, there comes a point where you can only be that bigger person so much.

Sometimes being the bigger person involves apologizing even though you weren’t the one at fault. We all know at least one person who never wants to admit they’re wrong, and if that person happens to be near and dear to us, we sometimes have to put up with that quality and just set our pride aside and say sorry. A few times, this is okay. However, once this becomes a cycle and a habit, an unhealthy relationship is being formed.

I used to be the type of person that let people walk all over me because I was so scared of conflict and having issues with people. What I’ve come to realize, though, is you can only behave this way for so long before it starts messing with your self esteem. If people think they can do whatever they want to you without getting a reaction, they begin to get careless because they know you won’t do anything about it.

That’s why I believe that if people aren’t willing to put aside their personal issues to meet you in the middle, it sometimes just isn’t worth it. If someone isn’t going to try for you, then there’s no use in begging them to stay in your life. People come and go for reasons, and if they’re supposed to be in your life, they will somehow find their way back.

The bottom line is to know your worth and not give it away to people who just don’t care to reason with you. At the end of the day, if everyone leaves, you have yourself. That is the only person guaranteed to stay with you forever, so you may as well love that person and give yourself the respect you deserve.