It’s always a bit of a shock when someone you thought you could rely on lets you down. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or even a co-worker, it can be confusing and frustrating to feel like you’ve been let down.
But it’s important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that includes the people we care about. If someone you care about has let you down, try to give them the benefit of the doubt and give them a chance to make things right.
After all, we all need a little help from our friends from time to time. However, what you can do to avoid being heartbroken again is to follow the steps below. This way your expectations of others will decrease and you will be less likely to feel betrayed when you’re let down next time.
5 steps to take when someone lets you down:
1- Believe them when they show you their true colors:
There’s nothing worse than being let down by someone you thought you could trust. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or romantic partner, it can be difficult to believe that the person you care about could hurt you so deeply.
In fact, it’s always a bummer when someone you thought you could trust turns out to be a total flake. But, in retrospect, there are usually some signs that they were unreliable long before they let you down. In any case, next time someone shows you their true colors, believe them! It’ll save you a lot of time and energy in the long run.
it’s important to remember that people often show their true colors when they’re under stress. If someone you care about consistently disappoints you, then you better believe that they could be unreliable.
2- Stop getting shocked, now that you know:
You might be in a state of shock, feeling hurt and betrayed when you’re first being let down but someone you loved. But at some point, you have to accept the truth so you can move on. Here are a few tips for recovering from a disappointment:
- Acknowledge what happened. Denial will only make things worse.
- Don’t dwell on the negative. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of the situation.
- Lean on your support system. Talk to your friends and family members about what happened. They can offer valuable perspectives and help you move forward.
- Take some time for yourself. Once you’ve processed the situation, give yourself permission to move on. Indulge in your favorite activities and let go of the negativity.
Luckily enough, these simple steps might help you move forward and get past the initial stage of complete shock and heartbreak.
3- Expect the unexpected in all situations:
Have you ever had somebody let you down? Well, it’s not the end of the world, we’ve all experienced it at some point or another. It can be really tough to deal with, especially if that person was someone you thought you could trust. But you know what? there’s a valuable lesson to be learned from these situations.
One thing or lesson you have to take out of this is that you should now start expecting the unexpected from everyone and anyone at any point. Don’t allow yourself to get the shock of your life again when you face such a betrayal.
Nobody can take you by surprise again if you’re always expecting the unexpected. If you’re ready for anything, then nobody will be able to hurt you, because you’ll see it coming from a mile away.
So the next time somebody lets you down, don’t get too upset. Just remember that it’s not your fault because even though they’re the ones who failed, you’re the one who allowed it. And in the meantime, keep your head up and keep moving forward. You’ll be just fine.
4- Let them know how they made you feel:
When what happened, happened and someone already let you down, it can be tough to know what to do. You might feel angry, disappointed, or even heartbroken.
The most important thing is to let them know how they made you feel. This can be difficult, but it’s important to communicate your needs in any type of relationship.
Otherwise, the same pattern of let-downs will likely continue. If you’re struggling to confront the person who let you down, consider taking a look at our article on how to put your foot down in a relationship. However, it’s written for couples and romantic relationships but you might still be able to pick up something useful from it.
5- Become a little more selfish in a healthy way:
It can be incredibly painful to realize that someone you care about has let you down. In the aftermath of being let down, it’s natural to feel betrayed and resentful.
However, it’s important to remember that you can’t control other people’s actions. The only thing you can control is how you respond to the situation. Becoming more selfish after being let down can actually be a healthy way to protect yourself from further hurt.
It may not be what the other person wants or expects, but if putting yourself first is what you need to do, then that’s what you should do.