Miss Manners

Dress, Cardigan, Belt: H&M; Patterned Tights: GAP; Shoes: Target

Sometimes I'm too nice. I know, I know. That sounds like I'm bragging about what a wonderful person I am, but that's not what I mean. I do pride myself on being helpful and accommodating and as empathetic as possible. I like to take other people's feelings into consideration. Even when they are in the wrong. But I'm easily pegged. People get away with a lot around me because I'm quick to excuse their behavior, or worse, to somehow take the blame. I'm hurt easily because as much as I try to understand where others are coming from, I truly don't understand when rudeness comes from nowhere. I feel wounded not only because of whatever it was that they actually did or said that was unkind, but also because it says to me that my way isn't working. But I don't want to change to a harsher, more judgmental person. I want everyone else to just be nicer. More polite. I need to find a way to balance my desire to give people the benefit of the doubt and to still have the proper backbone when people do not afford me the same kindness. I'm sad that being nice is so often seen as being weak, because the two are not one in the same.