When We Give Up On Others, We Give Up On Ourselves

Written By:

Written By:

When We Give Up On Others We Give Up On Ourselves 1

The only way to make the world a better and kinder place is by being kind to each other. If you judge others at the drop of a hat and give up on them easily, then in a way, you are giving up on yourself too.




Within the past two years, two people I know have died from drug addiction. And both times, I heard reactions like โ€œItโ€™s not surprising,โ€ โ€œI saw this coming,โ€ and the one that really gets under my skin, โ€œThis was always going to happen.โ€

This was always going to happen. Was it really? Okay, I can see the supposed (and heartless) logic there and why someone might feel justified in making such a comment, but I refuse to believe it. We should all refuse to believe it.



But somehow, this perception is rampant. How many times have you heard โ€“ or said โ€“ thatโ€™s just the way she ishe canโ€™t help himself, or people donโ€™t change?

When We Give Up On Others, We Give Up On Ourselves

Itโ€™s like weโ€™ve given up on each other, like somewhere along the way we stopped believing in change.

Itโ€™s ironic because we all want change in our lives. And change in the world, for that matter. We want a shorter commute to work, a job that pays better, more time for our friends, more time for our families, more time for ourselves. We wish our husbands would watch less TV, our wives wouldnโ€™t nag so much, our children would call more. We want to see a government that works, companies that care, and a world with less violence.




Well, how exactly do we expect any of that change to happen? People. It can only โ€“ and will only โ€“ happen through people.

So when we stop believing that people can change, we stop believing anything can change, ourselves included. Because change doesnโ€™t discriminate. It doesnโ€™t choose who can and canโ€™t have it. We all have a chance for change.

Related: How Accepting Things You Cannot Change Makes You Finally Free To Be Yourself

There is no set outcome in any life. There is no this was always going to happen. The future is always changing. It is shifting with every single decision we make.

Can you change someone else? No. You donโ€™t get that choice. But you do have a choice when it comes to other people โ€“ you can choose to judge them or accept them, blame them or embrace them, give up on them or believe in them. Your decisions are about defining you, not them.

And these decisions donโ€™t live in a vacuum. They are a connection point among all of us. Call it the butterfly effect, domino effect, chaos theoryโ€ฆ the point is, we are all living this life together. We are the cause and the effect. We are the link in every chain reaction.




give up

So giving up on someone โ€“ giving up on anyone โ€“ no matter the circumstances, has consequences. They have an effect that doesnโ€™t help the cause.

Think about it โ€“ when faced with an obstacle โ€” any challenge, any goal, any major life change โ€” you donโ€™t need judgment. You donโ€™t need lectures. You donโ€™t need people telling you what to do, trying to create the change for you. It doesnโ€™t work like that. No one can actually make the change but you.

Related: How Showing Compassion And Kindness Is Good For Your Mental Health

The best thing anyone can do for you is to just believe in you. To know you can do it even when youโ€™re in your deepest moments of doubt. To be a light in your darkest hours. To see your better days when youโ€™re lost in the bad ones.

That is how you change other people. You change them through love and acceptance. You change them by never giving up on them, by never ceasing to believe they will find change within themselves.

You change them by changing you.


Written By Kacie Main
Originally Appeared In Thought Catalog
When We Give Up On Others, We Give Up On Ourselves pin


— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Power Colors For Zodiac Signs: Learn To Supercharge Your Life!

Power Colors For Zodiac Signs Interesting Hues

Ever felt drawn to a certain color without knowing why? Or maybe youโ€™ve noticed how certain colors boost your mood and energy. Below are 12 power colors for zodiac signs. Find a hue that aligns with your strengths and helps supercharge your life. 

Wearing the zodiac sign power colors can help you feel more centered, confident, and in sync with your true self. 

So, do you want to learn more about the colors that can enhance your energy and success? Letโ€™s explore the power colors for zodiac signs!

Up Next

10 Subtle Signs Youโ€™re Secretly Becoming Your Best Self

Signs Youโ€™re Becoming Your Best Self

We always hear about green flags in relationships, but what about green flags in yourself? The truth is, youโ€™ve probably grown more than you realize. Itโ€™s easy to focus on what still needs work, but if youโ€™ve been showing up for yourselfโ€”whether in your mindset, habits, relationships, or careerโ€”youโ€™re already on the right track.

Becoming your best self isnโ€™t about waking up one day with everything figured out. Itโ€™s about the small shifts, the quiet wins, and the moments where you choose growth over comfort. So if youโ€™ve been wondering whether youโ€™re heading in the right direction, take this as a sign: Youโ€™re doing better than you think.

Ahead, weโ€™re diving into the green flags that prove youโ€™re stepping into your happiest, most authentic selfโ€”because real growth is happening, even if you donโ€™t see it yet.

Up Next

The Script is Yours: 7 Ways To Be The Leading Lady In Your Own Life

How To Be A Leading Lady Of Your Own Life? Best Ways

Every so often, a movie line sticks with you. In The Holiday, Iris (played by Kate Winslet) has a pivotal realization: โ€œYouโ€™re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life!โ€ This hits home for women in their 20s and 30s, a time when life can feel like a balancing act of dreams, relationships, and self-doubt. 

But what if you decided to step into the spotlight of your own story? Learn how to be the leading lady in your own life and reclaim center stage!

Up Next

How To Break The Habit Of People Pleasing?

Clear Signs Of People Pleasing And How To Stop It

Do you say โ€œyesโ€ to avoid conflict, but deep down, you feel drained? Recognize people pleasing behavior as itโ€™s time to set boundaries and reclaim your peace!

First we must care for ourselves. When we do, we can better care for others.

Key points

When we people-please, it creates a relationship that is not really honest.

We cannot meet everyone else’s needs.

When we become more OK with being ourselves, people will likely be drawn to us because we are being authentic.

Up Next

The Power of Solitude: Does It Lead To Inner Growth?

The Power Of Solitude Important Points

Learn the power of solitude as it gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself. And in these quiet moments, you can truly grow. So, let’s explore more!

Connect to your soul and quiet your busy mind.

Key points

We all need solitude and silence, and we all need social connection.

Solitude helps us put things into perspective and gain clarity.

Solitude can help us to not be reactionary and instead be responsive, open, and more flexible in our thinking.

Up Next

How Do We Practice Compassionate Communication?

Practicing Compassionate Communication Great Ways

What does it take to truly connect with others? Learn to practice compassionate communication in everyday life to ease their pain.

Five principles for compassionate communication.

Key points

Compassion can be thought of as an empathetic, conscious effort to relieve the suffering of another.

Mirror neurons allow us to experience one another in our minds.

Embrace an openness to thoughts and experiences that may challenge your usual way of doing things.

Up Next

Learn To Honor Your Feelings: Your Hard Week Mattersโ€”Even If Others Have It Worse

Learn To Honor Your Feelings Great Ways To Do It

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, even if others seem to have bigger struggles. Learn how to honor your feelings – they are valid, and you deserve acknowledgment!

How to honor your feelings without comparing them to othersโ€™ challenges.

Key points

Your emotions are valid no matter their scale or how they compare to othersโ€™ challenges.

Acknowledging your emotions builds your strength to support others with authenticity and genuine care.

Comparison of struggles creates a false hierarchy that undermines the importance of your own experience.

Research shows that acknowledging th