Have you ever gone out of your way to impress a man and later realized you went a bit too far?
It’s easy to get caught up in the pressures society puts on us to please that special someone.
However, there are a few things you should never do for a man if you want to keep your self-respect and build a healthy relationship at the same time.
One of the most important things you should never do for a man is to give up your identity or who you are as a person.
If you’re always putting your own happiness aside to make a man happy, you’ll eventually become sad and resentful.
You may also start to lose yourself in the relationship and your own needs and desires will take a back seat.
This can lead to unhealthy codependency and an unbalanced relationship.
You should always maintain your individuality and strive to achieve your dreams, so don’t ever sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of a man.
This is not about playing hard-to-get or manipulating your partner for selfish gain.
It’s about standing up for yourself and setting healthy boundaries in all aspects of your life.
Whether you’re longing for something more from your relationship, or have fallen into the habit of doing too much for someone else at the expense of yourself, these tips will help you reclaim your personal power.
9 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO FOR A MAN
Doing everything for a man can make him feel lazy and entitled to the extent that he’ll take you for granted and treat you anyhow he likes.
If you want to have a long-term relationship with your man, here are 9 things you should never do for him.
#1 Don’t Stop Living Your Life
Many people put their lives on hold to build their partner up but this is a risky move.
Your life doesn’t have to stop simply because you’ve found a romantic partner.
When it comes to your relationship, never forget that you’re still an individual outside of a couple.
You need to have your own interests, passions, and goals to keep you fulfilled as an individual.
Living your own life is crucial to maintain a healthy relationship dynamic.
That means having a say in how you spend your time, connecting with your loved ones regularly, and making sure your needs are being met on a consistent basis.
By living your own life you’re inspiring your man to do the same and he’ll respect you for it.
So don’t forget that you matter even when you’re in an intimate relationship.
Make sure not to stop living your life even when you have a partner– it will only help make the relationship stronger in the long run.
#2 Don’t Let Him Walk All Over You
Another thing you should never do for a man is to let him treat you however he likes because you want him to stay with you.
It’s important to show your man love and respect, but make sure you keep it a two-way street.
Don’t let him walk all over you and do whatever he wants with you—it shows a lack of boundaries and respect for yourself.
You don’t have to give in to every whim or demand a man makes just to keep him happy.
When he pressures you to do what he wants, speak up and let him know that his behavior isn’t okay and that it makes you feel disrespected.
If something bothers you in the relationship, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion and address the issue right away so that both of you can work on resolving it.
Instead of allowing a problem to linger for long, let your man know what is acceptable and what is not, otherwise, things can quickly spiral out of control.
When you have self-respect and establish solid boundaries in your relationship, a man will value you and treat you with the utmost respect.
Always try to be honest about your needs and expectations and don’t be afraid to stick to them even if your partner doesn’t like it – it’s all part of being in a healthy relationship.
#3 Don’t Pay His Bills
When you find an intimate partner who’s not financially stable, your first impulse might be to help him stand on his own feet, which is commendable.
However, if the gesture is not reciprocated and he gets into the habit of letting you pay for everything, your relationship can turn sour fast.
That’s why it’s important to draw clear boundaries early on and stick to them.
Of course, there can be benefits to helping your significant other out with finances from time to time, but if he’s not helping you financially too, it won’t end well.
It’s okay to help your man when he’s desperately in need, but don’t make it a regular thing in your relationship.
You can show him that you still care by offering advice on financial planning, giving him gifts that don’t involve money, and showing him strategies he can use to save money.
Whatever you choose to do to prove your love, don’t pay a man’s bills in a relationship, especially if you’ll have to do it for a long time.
Not only will it create an unbalanced dynamic, but down the line it can lead to serious issues like arguments over finances and deep resentment.
No matter how much you love a man, don’t run to his rescue every time he’s in a financial rut; let him fend for himself and pick up his own bills.
It will help him become more responsible and financially savvy when you don’t make his life too easy.
#4 Don’t Clean Up After Him
Another thing you should never do for a man in a relationship is to become his maid and take care of all his house chores.
It can be tempting to do nice things for your partner and make life easier for him, but don’t be too quick to pick up after him!
Doing all the laundry or making him lunch every day may seem like an act of love, but in reality, it could rob him of opportunities for personal growth.
Cleaning up his messes may give the impression that he’s incapable of taking care of himself, which can prevent him from learning how to become self-sufficient.
Also, going overboard with your helpfulness can send the wrong message and create a sense of dependency between you two.
It’s great if you’re able to help out when your significant other is overwhelmed with something, but remember that you have needs too.
It’s necessary to break away from old patterns where women take on all the domestic labor and ensure that your partner takes an equal part in housework, especially if you both have full-time jobs.
A healthy relationship involves two people who respect and support each other fully, so keep your people-pleasing tendencies in check when you find a partner.
At the end of the day, loving someone is about respecting them and letting them be their own person.
Avoid doing things for a man that he should be doing himself and allow him the space he needs to grow into a better person.
#5 Don’t Lower Your Standards
When it comes to relationships, it’s essential to have a healthy self-esteem and remember that you are not a doormat.
There are some things you should never lower your standards for, even if you love your partner deeply. Here are 6 things to never compromise on in a relationship:
• Loyalty – You should never sacrifice your need for loyalty in a relationship. Don’t be blind to the signs telling you he’s cheating and don’t let a man pressure you into staying with him if he does something that crosses your line of loyalty.
• Respect – Never let a man belittle or demean you in any way. As a couple, your goal should always be to build each other up, not tear each other down. If a man is calling you names or humiliating you in public, you don’t have to tolerate his disrespect and stay with him.
• Honesty – A key part of any healthy relationship is open and honest communication between both parties. There should be no room for keeping secrets or omitting important information. Don’t hesitate to leave a man who constantly hides things from you and lies to your face.
• Time and Attention – If a man wants to be in your life, he must make time for you. Don’t waste your time with someone who is unavailable or unwilling to give you the love and attention that you deserve. And don’t cancel your plans to be with him either.
• Values – Remember to always stick to your values when you’re in a relationship. Don’t give in just because it makes him happy and comfortable at the expense of your own beliefs and opinions on important matters, such as politics, religion, and intimacy.
• Healthy Boundaries – Respect yourself enough to create boundaries, even though it may be hard sometimes! Knowing when to say “No” is an extremely important skill for any relationship. Never allow a man to force you into doing something that doesn’t align with your values.
Most importantly, don’t ever compromise your worth for the sake of a man or any other person. You have so much to offer the world, and it’s important to stay true to yourself.
#6 Don’t Change Your Personality
Another thing you should never do in a relationship is to change who you are just to please a man.
Of course, it’s great to make adjustments and grow together as partners, but this should come from a place of genuine desire to work on yourself, not to appease someone else.
When you become a couple, there’s a tendency to merge together and do everything with each other.
However, codependency can lead to an unhealthy relationship in the long run.
When your identity and sense of self are overshadowed by someone else’s needs, you’ll feel dissatisfied and unhappy.
You should still be able to have your own hobbies, interests, and goals that don’t include your romantic partner.
Try to keep those separate, so both of you can stay connected to what makes your life meaningful.
It’s also important to respect each other’s point of view without compromising your values and boundaries.
If communicating becomes difficult because of different religious, moral, or cultural beliefs—try not to get too discouraged by it.
Instead, work on improving your communication skills so you can both reach a common ground.
Overall, don’t change your personality or pretend to be someone else in order to please a man. It’s not worth it!
#7 Don’t Sacrifice Your Dreams
Sacrificing your dreams for a man is one of the biggest things you should never do in a relationship.
It can be hard to resist the pressures of wanting to please your partner, but remember it is not right to have someone else dictate your decisions and actions.
Having goals is important for both relationships and yourself – this is something that applies to all genders.
When two people are in a relationship, it is important for each person to have equal opportunity in achieving their individual dreams and desires.
No one should be sacrificing their lifelong goals just because they are in a relationship.
If you feel like your partner is pressuring you into sacrificing your dreams, stand your ground and make sure he understands that this isn’t an option.
Let him know that while compromise may be necessary at times, you don’t want either of your lives to become unbalanced — the result of constant self-sacrifice will only lead to a toxic relationship in the future.
#8 Don’t Abandon Your Close Friendships
No matter what, don’t neglect your close friendships in order to please a man because real friends are hard to find.
Even if he complains about your interaction with them, he’ll appreciate that you’re secure enough in yourself to still be able to keep up with your loyal pals.
In order to maintain a healthy relationship, you should always prioritize yourself and those who truly care about you.
Give yourself some space and time away from your man so that you don’t become too dependent on him – and also make sure that your friends feel like they still have a place in your life.
Your friends have been there for you through thick and thin, so don’t make them seem like an insignificant part of your life when you get into a relationship.
Make sure they know how important they are to you; hang out with them often, go to their events, and truly appreciate them for the support they’ve offered to you in the past.
A man who truly loves you will be okay with you maintaining your close friendships and won’t try to isolate you or stop you from keeping in touch with your social circle.
Any man who limits your movement or tries to sabotage your platonic relationships is not the right person for you.
#9 Don’t Take The Fall For A Crime
One of the most life-altering things you should never do for a man is to take the fall for a crime that he commits.
This can not only have serious, long-term consequences for you, but it can also damage your relationship beyond repair.
If a man truly values your relationship, he will take responsibility for his own actions and not put you in such a dangerous position.
Covering up for your man may seem like an easier way out of an uncomfortable situation, but it’s not worth risking your well-being or reputation in the long run, especially if you’re not guilty.
If your partner does something wrong, don’t try to protect him—encourage him to take responsibility for his actions!
Conclusion
When you’re in a romantic relationship, it’s important to find a balance between giving and receiving.
If you’re always the one giving and doing everything for your partner, it can lead to resentment and feelings of being taken for granted.
A man should learn to be independent and take care of himself, and you can play a role in helping him develop this habit.
Love should not come at the cost of your self-respect, so don’t let yourself be taken advantage of.
If a man really loves you, he’ll show it through his actions, not by expecting you to do everything for him.
Learn to stand up for yourself and don’t tolerate a relationship where your partner turns you into his personal servant.
You deserve to be happy and fulfilled, and if your relationship is not bringing you that, it’s important to re-evaluate.
Ultimately, it’s better to find a partner who can meet you halfway and who is willing to make your happiness a priority.
Recommended Reading:
10 Things You Should Never Tolerate In A Relationship
9 Things You Should Never Sacrifice For A Relationship
10 Clear Signs He’s Just Using You
About The Author
Jennifer Dagi
Jennifer Dagi is happily married to her best friend and the love of her life.
As a relationship coach, she is passionate about helping couples build healthy and happy relationships.
She strongly believes communication and intimacy are the most important ingredients for building a successful relationship.
Join her on a fabulous journey to improve your love life one step at a time and don't forget to subscribe for weekly blog updates.