If you don't want people to treat you like a doormat ever again, do these 12 things regularly

Don’t let people walk all over you ever again.

A woman with glasses and a ponytail stands against a white background, wearing an orange shirt. She extends both hands forward with open palms, signaling to stop. Her expression is serious and assertive.

Do you feel frustrated and angry because people treat you like a doormat (or have done so in the past)? The good news is that you can put a stop to that ever happening again. Do the following things regularly, and your days of being stepped on will be but a distant memory.

1. Hold to your boundaries.

A woman with dark hair tied back stands with her arms crossed, wearing a maroon sweater over a gray shirt. She stands outdoors in an urban setting with a wire fence and modern buildings in the background on a sunny day.

Don’t tolerate people overstepping the boundaries you’ve established to protect yourself. Make your boundaries abundantly clear, with no room for misunderstanding, and then defend them fiercely when and if anyone tries to push or overstep them. Brook no egress in this regard and people will learn to recognize your ferocity.

2. Call them out.

Two women in business attire are engaged in a conversation in front of a gray textured wall. One gestures with open hands, while the other listens attentively, hand raised. Both appear focused and professional.

If they say something that’s derogatory or insulting, ask them exactly what they meant by it. For example, if they make a misogynistic remark and then insist that it was “just a joke”, remain calm and ask them to explain exactly why it was funny. Don’t let up until they apologize or walk away.

3. Don’t keep working for nothing.

A woman with curly hair sits at a desk, looking at her smartwatch. She is in a striped shirt and smiles slightly, working on a laptop. A coffee cup is on the desk, and a bright window is in the background.

If a person doesn’t compensate you for your labor, don’t work for that person again. Remember the tale of the ant and the grasshopper, in which one worked hard and the other (who didn’t) expected to benefit from the other’s labor without reciprocation. If they don’t contribute anything, they don’t receive anything.

4. Don’t back down.

A woman and a man are sitting on a couch, engaged in a serious conversation. The woman is gesturing with her hand raised, while the man looks at her attentively. They are in a cozy living room with shelves and a lamp in the background.

If you find that you’ve been in a cycle of being overly submissive, take the opportunity the next time that you know you’re in the right, and stand your ground. This is easier than it looks. Those who are accustomed to you giving ground may try to push you, but show them that isn’t going to work anymore.

5. Choose courage over cowardice.

A man and a woman are having a serious discussion in an office. The man is wearing a white shirt and glasses, and the woman is in a gray suit. A notebook and pen are on the table between them.

There’s a difference between picking your battles, and never getting into one. Sometimes, you’ve got to “rock the boat” a little bit and make your voice heard. The more you find the courage to speak up, the easier it will become. The alternative is to do nothing, but people will see this as weakness and continue to act in their best interests, not yours. Of course, sometimes it is better to stay quiet, and knowing when is important too.

6. Say “no” with greater frequency.

A woman with dark hair and a green sweater stands against a yellow background, holding up her hands in a "stop" gesture. She has a serious expression on her face.

Many people agree to do things because they don’t want to upset others, and those agreements end up being detrimental to themselves. There’s nothing wrong with turning down offers or invitations graciously, nor saying “no” to taking on work that isn’t your responsibility, for the sake of your own wellbeing. Some people will try to push you to turn your “no” into a “yes” but you must not let them. Those who respect and care about you will accept your “no”. Those who don’t will look for another person to take advantage of.

7. Establish consequences for mistreatment toward you.

Two women are sitting on a bench in a park. One woman with light hair gestures as she speaks, while the other woman with dark hair listens with a serious expression. Trees and a building are visible in the background under sunny weather.

At its simplest, a consequence could be the absence of your continued company—in other words, you will walk away. If someone treats you badly or insists upon saying things that you’ve established are unacceptable to you, then they simply won’t benefit from your presence in their life.

8. Be available, but not perpetually attainable.

A man with gray hair and a beard, wearing glasses and a rust-colored sweater, sits in a chair and holds a phone to his mouth. Sunlight streams in through a window with patterned curtains in the background.

You get to establish the parameters of when people can or cannot interact with you. For example, you can let your employer know that you aren’t available after work hours. If they call or email you at seven P.M., you’ll deal with their request after nine the next morning.

9. Stop and reverse “responsibility creep”.

A man and woman are smiling at each other while washing dishes in a bright kitchen. The man wears purple gloves and holds a plate, while the woman holds a towel and another plate. Kitchen shelves with dishes and utensils are visible in the background.

Many people—particularly those in relationships—see what was once an evenly distributed set of tasks ending up far heavier on one’s shoulders than the other, whether due to weaponized incompetence or flat-out hostility. Make sure to keep the burden even, despite their protestations. And the same goes for work—yes, your role may evolve over time, but this doesn’t mean taking on responsibilities well outside of the scope of your role.

10. Prioritize yourself.

Two women sit at an outdoor café table. One woman with long dark hair holds a glass of coffee, looking towards the other woman, who has light brown hair. They are surrounded by greenery and a building with yellow accents.

Be consistent in your own purposes and don’t be derailed by others’ needs and desires. If you stay true to your own intent, then it’s more difficult for others to misuse you. For example, if someone interrupts your focus with a demand, tell them that you’ll have time for their request when you’ve finished.

11. Take care of yourself.

A young woman with long red hair sits on a stone bench in a lush, green garden. She wears a white shirt underneath rust-colored overalls, looking thoughtfully into the distance. Dense bushes and foliage surround her, creating a serene and natural setting.

Many people end up being treated like doormats because they get worn down, and end up giving in to unfair demands because it’s the easier thing to do. Try to ensure that you get plenty of rest, healthy food, and exercise, so you’re in top form and less amenable.

12. Don’t behave like a doormat and you won’t be treated like one.

A woman with blonde hair is holding her hand over a bearded man's mouth as they face each other against a black background. The woman looks serious, while the man appears thoughtful. The woman is wearing a light pink sweater, and the man is wearing a light blue shirt.

If you’ve been quite meek and timid in the past, step into your power. Hold yourself high with a strong posture, move with intention, hold eye contact with confidence, and speak clearly. People tend to prey upon the weak, so don’t let them see you as a potential target.