Respect is earned, and if people don’t respect you, they shouldn’t receive any respect in return. Honestly, it’s as simple as that.

However, if you strive to earn the respect from those around you, you should stop doing things that invite disrespect.

Below are five powerful changes that can completely reshape how others perceive and relate to you.

1. Stop giving excessive explanations

When it comes to the decisions we make during our lifetime, we don’t owe everyone a justification. Because if we feel like we need to explain our choices, give countless of arguments, and feel the urge to defend our decisions, we unintentionally send the message that we need other people’s approval.

When we over-explain ourselves, we don’t sound as thoughtful or reasonable. On the contrary, it feels like we are insecure.

According to research, over-justifying ourselves can make us seem less confident, knowledgeable, and reliable.

So, if someone has no real reason to demand an explanation regarding our decisions, a simple response like “because I decided to” is enough. Answering in such manner may feel awkward initially, but it would definitely change the dynamic entirely.

2. Learn to use silence

As soon as we learn that silence isn’t weakness but a deliberate choice, we stop feeling the need to explain ourselves to everyone and start responding with intention instead of impulse.

In fact, when someone talks down to us, we don’t owe them an answer on the spot—or ever. If we reply immediately, we often come across as more reactive than confident.

Sometimes, silence can reveal more than words ever could, and it can draw a line in the sand without turning the moment into a face-off.

3. Be able to lose the relationship

When you think about it, this is the foundation of everything.

If we are not willing to cut our losses and walk away from any form of relationship where we are disrespected, it means that we value that relationship more than we value our dignity.

This is not about running for the hills at the first sign of trouble, but about establishing a clear line that doesn’t move every time it’s challenged.

Respect develops when the other person, on some level, understands that crossing that line has real consequences.

4. Stop trying to change how they feel and focus on what you accept

Does it ever feel to you like you fixate on the wrong questions such as, “How can I make them value me?” or “How can I get them to see my point?”

The truth is, this isn’t something we can control.

What we can control is the behavior we accept. When someone belittles, dismisses, or ignores us, we have the power to step away without explanations or causing drama.

Truth is we don’t need to prove our worth to anyone. All we need is show, through our actions, the kind of treatment we won’t tolerate.

5. Examine whether you truly respect yourself

Here’s the hard truth: those who have genuine self-respect don’t allow themselves to be surrounded by constant disrespect in their lives.

It’s not that disrespectful people don’t exist, they do, but people with self-respect won’t linger where it’s present. They don’t rationalize, wait for someone to change, or give up their dignity.

When you catch yourself in the same cycle, ask yourself, “Why am I still here?” and “What fear, dependency, or hope is keeping me here?”

Being honest with ourselves can be painful, but also liberating.