10 Signs Your Family and Friends Are Taking Advantage of You

It’s hard to detect when you are being taken advantage of. People in your life might be taking advantage of you without realizing it, leading to frustration and hurt feelings. But how do you know if someone is taking advantage of you? Here are ten signs of someone trying to manipulate or use you for their gain.

1. You’re Always the One Giving and Never Receiving

If you find yourself always being the one to give and never receiving, it may be a sign that you’re being taken advantage of by those around you. It’s important to be aware of this to make changes in your relationships and protect yourself from being used.
It’s not always easy to see when we’re being taken advantage of, but it’s important to be aware of the signs to protect ourselves. If you think you might be being taken advantage of, reach out to a trusted friend or family member for their opinion. Sometimes it can be helpful to get an outsider’s perspective on our relationships.

2. You Feel Like You’re Being Used

You may be being used if you feel like you’re always doing favors or helping out without any recognition. Those who take advantage of others often do so because they know they can rely on them to get things done. If you feel like your time and energy are always being taken for granted, it’s time to have a conversation with the person or people in question. Let them know how you feel and set some boundaries. Otherwise, you’ll continue to be taken advantage of and end up feeling resentful.

3. The People Around You are Always Talking, and You’re Always Listening

Listening to someone vent is one thing, but when they only ever come to you to talk about their problems and never ask you about yours, they’re most certainly taking advantage of you. True friends will ask about you and listen to you with the same attentiveness that you listen to them.

4. You Feel Like Your Time and Energy are Never Appreciated

If you feel like your time and energy are never appreciated, it may be because you’re being taken advantage of by those around you. Here are some signs that this might be the case:

• You find yourself always doing favors for others, but they never return the favor.
• You feel like you’re always the one giving and never receiving.
• Others always seem to take advantage of your good nature, and you feel used and unappreciated.
• You frequently feel resentment towards those who take advantage of you but continue to allow them to do so.
• You dread seeing certain people because you know they will take advantage of you again.

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5. They Only Come to You When They Need Something

Some “friends” will only seek you out when they need something. They might come to you to be an emotional outlet, or they might go so far as to ask for money to help with their financial problems. However, when things start going well for them, they’ll never speak to you. If you want to know how they really feel about you, reach out to them to catch up and see how fast the conversation dries up.

6. You Feel Like You’re Being Taken Advantage of Emotionally

If you feel like you’re the only one who is always there for your friends or family members and that they never return the favor, you may be taken advantage of emotionally. This can be difficult to deal with because you care about the people involved and don’t want to hurt their feelings. But it’s important to remember that you have a right to your own emotional needs as well, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about setting boundaries.

7. Others Always Make Decisions For You Without Consulting You First

If you feel like others are always making decisions for you without consulting you first, it’s possible you’re being taken advantage of. This can be difficult to deal with, as it can be hard to tell if someone is truly taking advantage of you or just trying to help.

8. You’re Always Being Put in Charge

You’re always being put in charge of the most menial tasks, no matter how qualified you are for the job. Your colleagues or friends always seem to take advantage of your good nature by asking you to do things they should be doing themselves. It’s not that you mind helping out occasionally, but it can wear thin when it becomes a regular occurrence.

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9. People Regularly Cancel Plans with You

If you find that people regularly cancel plans with you, it could be a sign that you’re being taken advantage of by those around you. They don’t see you as a priority and only use you when it’s convenient for them. This can be frustrating and leave you feeling used. If you’re constantly being canceled, it might be time to talk with the person or people involved. Explain how their actions make you feel and see if they will change their behavior.

10. Your Time Should Always Be Respected

In any close relationship, it’s important to feel like your time is respected. Whether with a romantic partner, family member, or friend, feeling like your time isn’t valued can be a major source of stress and conflict. If you’re starting to feel like those around you are taking advantage of your time, it’s important to address the issue head-on.

This article was produced and syndicated by Motherhood Life Balance. This article is inspired by the internet and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Motherhood Life Balance.