A PUSH AWAY FROM BEING A PUSHOVER

How often do you find yourself buried amidst homework that isn't yours? Or perhaps winding up in a sticky situation you never wanted to be in, if it weren't for the threats made by the big guy or the pretty boy's puppy eyes? If you feel the need to constantly go above and beyond to please people by doing something you hate, you're not necessarily always the "amazing friend" or "life saver". You my friend are a welcome mat who gets walked all over. There's a thin line between being an agreeable, helpful person and being a pushover. If you find yourself constantly faltering to the needs of others unwillingly, allow us to help you drag your easy butt behind the line with these simple remedies.

Me before you
Learn to prioritise. Putting your needs above someone else's wants doesn't always make you selfish. Helping people out is a saintly act, but constantly harming yourself or letting your own work be affected in the process, is irrational. Act according to the significance of situations. Decide whether completing a friend's chemistry project, last minute, all by yourself is more essential than your night's sleep. Be able to justify that your health and sane mindset the following day has more value than your irresponsible friend's gratification. Make exceptions to being selfless for people and situations that deserve it. Don't be a people pleaser. Pick yourself, chose yourself, love yourself. It's okay to be selfish sometimes. 

No shame in saying "No"
Intimidated by "the look"? Gulled by the puppy eyes and the magic word "please"? Well it's about time you yourself learn a new magic word, "NO". One magic syllable to make all your worries go away! If something makes you uncomfortable, you are allowed to refuse. You don't necessarily have to be rude or unkind to be assertive and speak your mind. 

Know thy friends 
Distinguish between real friends and jerks who only take advantage. People who only resort to your company when they need something and completely erase you from their life otherwise are people you need to stop doing favors for. You faltering to the needs of jerks just because they ask nicely and gush an alarmingly fake 'thank you' is not worth it, not when you know they only stick around for themselves. Never allow yourself to be taken for granted. If people are selfish, return the favor by being so yourself. You are not the elach they can throw away when they have biriyani. 

Speak up
There are times when other people aren't necessarily jerks, you're just not vocal enough. People won't know if you're uncomfortable with something unless you speak up for yourself and let them know. When undergoing bullying or threats, stand your ground. Don't be intimidated by the tough ones. You are not a chair they can push around. If you are going to be furniture, be your nanu's steel almira that no one can move. 

To any admitting pushover or those in denial reading this, let this article be the only push you endure, to a much happier life of course.