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WotD: A soft touch
Do you ever feel like a soft touch?
It can be frustrating to feel like people are continually getting whatever they want from you, but the good news is you can prevent it.
A soft touch is someone easily influenced or taken advantage of.
This can manifest in many ways, such as always saying yes to requests, never standing up for yourself, or simply being too nice.
When I was a child, my sisters and I knew Mom was a soft touch.
She would initially say no to our requests, but if we pestered her enough, she would eventually cave, and we got what we wanted, whether that was staying up late to watch something on TV or getting a quarter to buy a bag of chips at the store.
On the other hand, Dad was a different story, but I won’t get into that here.
Today, our focus is on a soft touch, and my dad was tough as nails.
To prevent yourself from being a soft touch, learn to say no.
It sounds simple, but saying no can be difficult.
Practice saying no in low-stakes situations, like when your kids want dessert before dinner.
Next, set boundaries.
Decide what you’re willing to do and what you’re not, and communicate that to the people around you.
Being assertive and standing up for yourself and your needs is crucial.
This doesn’t mean being aggressive or confrontational but rather calmly and confidently stating your position.
Being too nice can make you a soft touch.
Being kind and considerate is a great trait, but it can also make you a target for people who want to take advantage of you.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself first sometimes; be forceful when saying no.
It’s also important to trust your instincts.
If something feels off or if you feel someone is manipulating you, go with your gut and don’t go along with it.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least a 7th-grade education (age 12).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 72.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.