You want to be respected? Start by not betraying yourself.
- TCW Signature
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
We often talk about respect as something we expect from others.But too often, we wait for it, ask for it, even beg for it...
When in truth, respect is a movement that begins within.
You want to be heard? Stop silencing yourself.
You want your choices to be respected? Stop justifying them constantly.
You want your boundaries honored? Learn to express them clearly.
Respect is not a favor
It doesn’t depend on how nice you are, or how much effort you put in.It doesn’t magically appear just because you’re “cool,” “understanding,” or “easy to get along with.”
Respect is not negotiated. It is claimed. It is embodied. It is lived.
When you accept what disturbs you, you unlearn how to listen to yourself.
When you apologize for being who you are, you open the door to self-disrespect.
When you stay in places where you're not respected, you abandon yourself.
🌿 Respect is energy
It’s not something you show off. It’s something people feel.
You can walk into a room without raising your voice, without proving anything, without dominating —and command respect simply through your calm, clarity, and presence.
But to do that, you must first respect yourself:
In your words: stop criticizing yourself out loud.
In your actions: don’t say yes when you mean no.
In your choices: stop minimizing what you truly want.
And what if people don’t respect you the way you deserve?
You can’t change others.But you can step back, rephrase, set conditions, distance yourself, redraw the boundaries.
You have that power.
And no — it’s not being harsh, it’s not being cold.
It’s being clear. And that’s freeing.
Phrases to set healthy boundaries
In your family, at work, in love, or in friendship
👨👩👧👦 With family
“I understand your point of view, but I have the right to think differently.”
“I'd rather talk about this another time.”
“I need you to respect my choice, even if you don’t agree with it.”
“Being family doesn’t mean I have to accept everything.”
“I deserve to be spoken to with respect, even when you’re upset.”
💼 At work
“That’s not part of my role, I can’t take on more right now.”
“I’m open to discussing it — but not in that tone.”
“I need time to respond to this request properly.”
“Please respect my rest time. I don’t respond outside working hours.”
“Let’s keep this conversation professional, not personal.”
❤️ In love
“My feelings are valid, even if they don’t seem logical to you.”
“I need to feel heard, not just receive excuses.”
“If you love me, you also respect my ‘no’.”
“I don’t need to justify myself for setting a boundary.”
“I deserve a relationship where I feel safe and valued.”
🤝 In friendship
“I didn’t feel respected when you acted that way.”
“I need balanced friendships, not one-sided ones.”
“I’d rather we speak honestly than pretend everything’s okay.”
“If our friendship matters to you, listen to me as much as I listen to you.”
“Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate everything.”
👗 Today I’m wearing...
The white shirt.
Simple, sharp, structured.
A timeless piece that quietly says: “I’m clear on who I am.”
📘 And I’m reading...
“The Power of Respect”
A guide to learning how to respect yourself — in your thoughts, your choices, your relationships.
Simple. Strong. A book to read and re-read, so you never forget yourself again.
📥 Download the eBook in English – 2.99 CHF
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