Don't Date Less Than You

Yes I got your attention! One of my pet peeves is when I see someone (man or woman) settling for a person that does not meet their standards. A person that is “less” than you does not mean you are better than them. It simply means that they do not live UP to the values and morals that you believe in. Your values and morals are up high because they are important to you. So if the person does not meet them, they are less than you. This is also known as settling.

Here’s an example. I have a friend who is very goal-driven and hardworking. Her boyfriend has no goals. She believes that because he is young and is going through a phase, he will eventually get it together. She buys him books on setting goals, encourages him that he is capable to achieve anything, and she even leads by example by accomplishing her own goals.

Now let’s fast forward 3 years. Do you guys think he became goal oriented? He didn’t. He is still living in his comfort zone.

One thing I’ve learned from experience is that YOU cannot change people. Even if you hold their hand and change their diaper, they still have to want it for themselves first. A lot of people think that they have the power to change their significant other. You can’t.

A person can be inspired and influenced by someone but they have to mentally see the change for themselves. Not to impress you, not to keep you from leaving them, and not to make you happy.

When you date “less” than you, you are downgrading your own progress in life. I appreciate the people who believe that they can help and guide the person they are dating or in a relationship with. They don’t realize that they should be exerting that same amount of energy into their own growth.

One quote I like to live by is “Love you, and be loved.” You attract the company you keep. If you settle for someone who does not meet your morals and values you are settling. You set the standard for the people you want in your life. Unleash yourself from the people who need their own personal development, or guidance. The journey towards becoming a more confident you, starts with reevaluating the people around you...

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