Short messages on Relationships issues from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
Talking about others’ secrets can get the conversation started and feel exciting, but shows a lack of creativity in your conversation skills. Soothing boredom with your friend’s information is both lazy and disloyal.
Supporting, guiding, and making contributions to other people is one of life’s greatest rewards.
Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to your grandfather and the same level of patience you would have with your baby brother.
People who are not comfortable in their own skin and who have insecurities will often pick apart others in order to feel better. You can find less personal topics if you feel you need to fill uncomfortable silences.
Get to the root of why you find it’s okay to talk behind the back of your friends, in order to know how to stop. It may be insecurity, boredom, revenge, to ‘protect’ others, to be funny, or just thoughtlessness.
Be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings. The people you’re cheering for will, sooner or later, start cheering for you.
If someone flips between being ‘very nice’ and ‘very nasty’, you can feel like you need to do things to keep them happy. This can be a sign they are trying to control you.
If someone gives you gifts like ‘phone credit, alcohol, drugs or jewellery, this can make you feel good about them, but if they want sex in return they are trying to exploit you.
Start noticing what you like about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to productive and fulfilling places.
If someone is trying to sexually exploit you, they may try to isolate you from your friends or family by saying they are the only person you need, that your family won’t understand or you’ll be in trouble.