Generosity can come at the price of our comfort.

People like to say that it is nice to be nice, but that isn’t always the full truth. Sometimes, we pay for our niceness by inconveniencing ourselves. While it is true that the glow of a good deed has the potential to outshine any difficulty we might put ourselves through, not everybody is going to feel that way. It is possible to put yourself out and not feel like it was the right thing to do.

Having a backbone is an important skill in all types of relationships. There are all too many people who will happily take advantage of those who have not developed it. However, there are times when it is more appropriate to give in to the requests of others. It might be the best option to keep the peace, or it just makes more logistical sense. Just as important as advocating for yourself is understanding how to do it in a way that is tactful. Without this, disagreements can arise that make life more difficult in the long run. It can ruin a time when you just want to relax and enjoy yourself with no disturbances.