9 Things You Should Never Change about Yourself for a Man ...

By Shannon

9 Things You Should Never Change about Yourself for a Man ...

I think we can agree that there are some things you should never change about yourself. As smart as we might be, sometimes we'll meet someone we want to be with so much that we find ourselves doing things we never thought we would. Don't get me wrong; this isn't always a bad thing. I can think of all sorts of things in our lives-habits, relationships, bad '80s hairstyles-that SHOULD be changed, but we just need a little “push.” If he's that “push,” fine. It's just that there are some things you should never change about yourself to hold onto a man. If you think this doesn't happen, think again. Here are a few examples.

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1

Your Values

These are probably the most important things you should never change about yourself for a man. For instance, does he pressure you to have sex when you want to wait until you're married? That was the case with me. Does he think women should be “barefoot and pregnant” while you want a career? Is he bothered by your relationships with your family? If he's not willing to accept these basic things about you, toss him and find someone who will.

2

Your Dreams

Your dreams are probably going to change on their own as life goes on. For instance, I used to dream of being a singer, even though I can't carry a tune in a bucket. A college friend of mine once dreamed of being a veterinarian but is now happy as the stay-at-home mom of three boys. We never know how things will to turn out. However, don't give up on something you truly love for a man without having something to replace it with. Otherwise you will either grow to resent him or find yourself so miserable you won't be able to get out of bed in the morning. They're both sucky options.

3

Your Weight

How many times have you heard someone say they're fat when they're anything but? My ex would jokingly call me “Fatto” when I was 125 pounds. I ignored it, but this is the sort of comment that can lead women to lose weight in unhealthy ways because they think their boyfriend wants them to. This is an extreme example, but I'm sure we all know people who have tried to lose weight or complained about their bodies not because there was actually anything wrong but because they thought they had to have a certain body type to be attractive. Men aren't as picky about our bodies as we are, but even if they were, you shouldn't make any changes like this simply to keep (or get!) a man. Do it because you want to, if you want to.

4

Your Choice of Career

Like I said above, your dreams will probably change with time. There's nothing wrong with that. If you do, however, decide to alter your career goals to be with someone, make sure it's something you can live with. If you're someone who has most of her life tied into her career, it's going to be very difficult for you to be happy without it unless you change it for the right reasons. Feeling like you have to or doing it because of pressure are not the right reasons.

5

Your Choice of Friends

Your friends-girls and guys-are the ones who stay with you through the tough times. Even if they weren't, however, you shouldn't let a man have this much sway over who you hang out with. It's one thing if a person is truly a bad influence, but don't let him keep you away from your friends simply because he doesn't like them. If your friends don't like your boyfriend, there's usually a reason. Listen to it.

Famous Quotes

If you have a harem of 40 women, you never get to know any of them very well.

Warren Buffett
6

Your Family

I once saw an episode of the Simpsons where Lisa daydreams about meeting her future husband. He's smart, funny, sophisticated-everything her family is not. Long story short, she falls in love with him and gets deeper and deeper into his highbrow world until he gives an ultimatum-them or me. I mentioned this to say that someone who truly loves you will not try to pull you away from your family; they were there before him, and they'll be there after he's gone. She left him behind, and you should too.

7

Your Religion

...if yours means a lot to you. Some people really couldn't care less but, for others, giving up their religion would be a major hit. I've known people who converted to their spouse's religion and were better for it, but I'd hate for you to give up something that has been a huge part of your life and trade it in for something else because you think you have to.

8

Your Basic Looks/style of Dress

It made me feel like total crap when my college boyfriend would try to get me to wear different kinds of clothes. Sometimes I'd find something I liked, but most of the time they were things like tight tops I was really uncomfortable with. It wasn't the clothes that bothered me so much as that he kept bugging me about it; it was a sign that he didn't love me the way I was. I'm all for trying new things but you should never feel pressured to wear or do things you otherwise wouldn't for a man.

9

Your Basic Personality

Never adopt a lifestyle or personality you otherwise wouldn't to be with a man. For instance, I've been around military men enough to know I could never marry one. As much respect as I have for their job, I simply couldn't be away from my husband for extended periods of time. I couldn't move as much as military families do, nor could I live in a far-flung part of the world like Guam, where I was born. There's nothing wrong with that life; it's just not for me. If there is something you know you would not be happy without, never give it up to please a man. There's a difference between stepping out of your comfort zone and changing yourself entirely.

I'm not saying you shouldn't try new things, nor am I saying that the right man can't be a catalyst for change. Some men are well worth it. What I am saying is that you should never feel like you have to change a fundamental part of yourself to please a man or anyone else. How about you? Have you ever changed anything about yourself for a partner? If so, how did it work out? Do you have any advice for us? Let's talk!

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I had an ex who hated my nail art hobby until I completely lost interest in it and I became so bored and just didn't do anything else as a result It sure went downhill from there. I'm glad I'm not with him anymore. Never ever change yourself for a man, he should love you for who you are and what you love to do. And it should be mutual.

My ex wanted me to change my values/morals on my outlook! He was raised by hippies basically! He called it I should be opened minded. But a lot of the ppl he was friends with I didn't prove or understand! No wonder we were on n off for 3 years!

True that

Same here jess. Had to tone down my personality to make him happy. It was his issues not mine. These type of men make you feel responsible for their own issues. It's all about taking ownership for what is yours and theirs.

Love this!

Lovely article

I frankly don't understand women who give in too easily. I've known a couple of them who would say something like: I don't wear makeup because he wants me not to. I've been with a control freak, too. He tried to make me give up things I really enjoyed doing and dedicate my free time to him and his needs.needless to say, when I met my husband I instantly understood he was the one, cause he gives me total freedom to do what I want to do and be who I wanna be. At the same time I admit it's our fault, too- many of us would rather become someone else not to be alone, and that's the issue to fight against

Off a bit, but Rashny how did you come about that hobby? As for giving in too easily, I hear you about being with a control freak because of being afraid to be alone. That's actually one of my worst fears. Not to where I'd put up with abuse or anything like that again, but I've never been single for long since I started dating so it would be pretty alien for me. Some people probably stay because they don't feel they deserve or can get any better than whatever guy they're with.

Liked the article.. I have experienced this thing in my life. I have changed many things about me because of my boyfriend but in return he has too changed for me. I can say that those things were so important for the relationship to go smoothly.

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