Consideration

Am I meant to bend over backwards thinking about everyone else before thinking about myself? Truth is, if something’s within my rights, I won’t consider anything at all. And I don’t mean that with arrogance. I just mean I’m not stepping into discomfort so everyone else can feel good.

Imagine bars are closed and I’ve got the last bit of drink left in my bottle. Someone asks for some, and I say no. Suddenly I’m selfish. But if I give it away, I’m the one left dry for the rest of the night.

Or take a night out where people expect you to drive. I’ve paid for petrol, gone out of my way to pick everyone up, and now while everyone else is waved having the time of their life, I’m basically making sure people don’t act stupid and that we all get home safe. I can’t even enjoy myself properly because I’ve now been designated as the babysitter of the night because I chose to be considerate.

Let’s say I decide to get an Uber instead. I’m the one who books and pays for it. When it arrives, suddenly people want to decide who sits where. Nah. I’ll sit where I feel like sitting because I’m the one who sorted the transport. I’m not squashing up in the middle or sitting behind the driver just to be “considerate.” Why should I be uncomfortable on top of everything else?

That’s the thing about consideration. Once it becomes a habit, people start expecting it. You sacrifice your comfort so others can have a good time.

And the funniest part? The same people who want you to be considerate are usually not as considerate themselves. They protect their own comfort without a second thought, but the moment you do the same, suddenly you’ve got a bad character.

At the end of the day, you should always do what makes you happy, as long as you’re not doing it out of spite. Making yourself happy doesn’t always have to please everyone else.

I’m not saying people shouldn’t ask for help or shouldn’t expect me to be their friend, but before they think I should consider them, shouldn’t they think about considering me?