19 Subtle Signs People Are Taking You For Granted

Written By Lisa Marley

Our relationships impact our lives in various ways. Being recognized or appreciated boosts our morale. Moreover, when people value our contributions, they treat us better, improving our quality of life. Unfortunately, not everyone sees our true value – here are 19 signs that someone may be taking you for granted.

They Rarely Say Thank You

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Showing appreciation is a way to show someone that you notice what they did for you and are grateful. Everyday Speech says acknowledging another individual and thanking them implies that you value their efforts. People who take you for granted tend to overlook whatever you do for them.

They Don’t Reciprocate Efforts

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When you show support to a loved one, it’s not necessarily that you’re doing them a favor and expect payback. For a healthy relationship, your partner would willingly be there for you as much as you are for them. Some partners will even try to outdo you after you do something for them.

They Take Credit for Your Work

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Good teamwork requires working together and respecting each other. When you work with someone, whatever they contribute adds value, and no matter how small, it shouldn’t be overlooked. Contributing to something and going unrecognized is hurtful. It’s even worse if they take credit for what you did.

They Don’t Value Your Time

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Your time is valuable, and when others don’t respect it, it shows they might be taking you for granted. They expect you to be there no matter what. You find yourself always compromising to fit into their schedule. They’re late to appointments, cancel last minute, or sometimes don’t show up with no notice.

They Only Reach Out When They Need Something

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Be careful of individuals who only look out for themselves. What you want doesn’t matter. Whenever they come to you, it’s to get a favor, and they’re never around to help you when you need it. Notice the signs, such as random texts that are followed up with a request.

They Don’t Acknowledge Your Boundaries

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The UIC Wellness Center says setting boundaries is a form of self-care. People who love and respect you should be able to recognize this and give you space. You need personal time and limits and can’t just do what they want and be available anytime they ask.

They Make You Feel Guilty for Saying No

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It’s your right to say no if you don’t want to do something. Nobody should guilt you into something that makes you unhappy or uncomfortable. Some people might even try to manipulate others into doing what they want by making them feel bad.

They Don’t Make an Effort to Include You

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Being left out of plans and decisions is a typical sign that you’re unappreciated. When people don’t include you or ask for your input in decisions, it shows they don’t value you. It could also mean you’re not a priority in their lives, and what you want doesn’t mean much to them.

They Assume You Will Always Be Available

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Unless it’s an emergency, no one should expect you to just show up anytime they need you. If someone values your time, they shouldn’t take it for granted that you’re always available. Plan ahead and give people notice. Additionally, check with the person before adding them to your programs.

They Don’t Listen to You

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Coursera says that effective communication builds trust and prevents misunderstanding. Discussions need to be from both sides to get all points across, but some people tend to make everything about them. All conversations are about what they’re going through, and they don’t pay attention when you speak.

They Don’t Appreciate the Little Things You Do

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It’s easy to overlook people’s efforts, especially when they’re always there for you. Small gestures like checking on you when you’re sad or just to see that you’re okay may go unnoticed. Until you don’t have that anymore, you may take it for granted.

They Ignore Your Needs

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When someone overlooks your needs, it shows they don’t care about your well-being. They always put their needs first and forget about what you want. Your feelings and desires should matter and be considered in any relationship. Otherwise, you’re being taken for granted.

They Criticize You More Than They Praise

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Constantly getting bad feedback could be discouraging. It may seem like a form of motivation, but too many negative comments are demoralizing. You may not always get it right, but some encouragement is good to show that you’re appreciated.

They Make Demands Without Offering Help

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If someone frequently asks for your help but is never there for you when you need it, it shows a lack of mutual support. True relationships are built on give-and-take. If you feel like a person may be using you, probably they’re. Evaluate the situation and get out if it’s not worth the effort.

They Frequently Cancel Plans

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It’s normal to change plans because sometimes urgent matters come up unexpectedly. This is understandable, but it doesn’t mean you keep doing it. If someone finds reasons to get out of things frequently and you feel they only have time for you when it’s convenient for them, it shows that you’re not a priority and they don’t value you.

They Show Little Interest in Your Life

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Conversations should be two-sided, and when they’re always about the other person, it shows a lack of interest in you. They rarely ask about your day or experiences, making you feel like your life doesn’t matter. Ignoring what goes on in your life indicates they don’t care about what’s happening with you.

They Expect Your Help Without Asking

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We help each other out in society because nobody can do everything on their own. Helping people is a way of showing love, according to Psychology Today.  But if you need assistance, you have to ask for it and not assume anyone will automatically be there to support you.

They Don’t Respect Your Opinions

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What you think matters. In any situation, your experiences and perspectives are important, and when someone dismisses them, it shows they don’t value your input. Making decisions without considering what you think could make you feel unheard. Don’t tolerate this. Speak up and make your voice heard.

They Don’t Celebrate Your Successes

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When people don’t celebrate your successes, it can feel like your accomplishments don’t matter. Big or small, you deserve to feel proud of your efforts and achievements. Good friends or partners should be able to recognize your input and congratulate you.

Up Next: 17 Behaviors That Make People Think Less of You

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If you want to be accepted by those around you, you have to behave in certain ways. Obviously, you should still be yourself, but there are certain social ‘rules’ people should abide by, like avoiding these 17 behaviors that make people think less of you.

17 BEHAVIORS THAT MAKE PEOPLE THINK LESS OF YOU

20 Signs Someone Is Only Pretending to Care

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Whether it’s to avoid hurting your feelings or if it’s part of a more elaborate plan to deceive you for benefits, people pretend for many reasons. The main theme with them, though, is that their actions never match the sugar-coated words that come out of their mouths. So that you don’t fall for someone like this, we’ve compiled 20 signs for you to look out for.

20 SIGNS SOMEONE IS ONLY PRETENDING TO CARE

18 Items at Walmart that Aren’t Worth Your Hard-Earned Money

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For many of us, Walmart is the go-to superstore. Whether we need groceries, clothing, or technology, Walmart is a one-stop shop for everything you would need. However, there are some Walmart products you should avoid at all costs, such as the following 18 examples.

18 ITEMS AT WALMART THAT AREN’T WORTH YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY